The oral health of adults in Yorkshire and Humber 2008.
OBJECTIVE
Although national surveys are conducted of the oral health of adults in the UK, few data are available at regional and primary care trust levels to inform local commissioning. A postal survey was conducted to investigate the oral health and use of dental services by adults in the Yorkshire and Humber region.


METHODS
A questionnaire was developed and piloted, then sent to a random sample of 25,200 adults. Data were analysed by sex, gender, age and deprivation.


RESULTS
10,864 (43.0%) questionnaires were returned completed. Nearly three-quarters (71.6%) of respondents had 20 or more teeth and approximately one quarter (25.3%) rated their oral health as fair, poor or very poor. The percentage reporting painful aching, discomfort when eating and being self-conscious about their mouths (occasionally or more often in the last 12 months) were 28.8%, 32.8% and 29.1% respectively. Overall, 80.3% reported attending a dentist in the last two years, although nearly a quarter (22.6%) of respondents reported difficulties accessing routine care. However, there were marked inequalities between those living in the most and least deprived neighbourhoods.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey was the first to investigate the oral health and service use of adults in the Yorkshire and Humber region. The findings have implications for the local commissioning of dental services.
Marshman
Z
Z
Clinical Lecturer in Dental Public Health, Unit of Dental Public Health, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Claremont Crescent, UK. z.marshman@sheffield.ac.uk
Dyer
T A
TA
Wyborn
C G
CG
Beal
J
J
Godson
J H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003778:Dentures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009909:Oral Health; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult