title: Oral health-related behaviours among dentate adults in Finland: findings from the Finnish Health 2000 Survey.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess oral health-related behaviours among dentate adults. As part of the comprehensive Finnish Health 2000 Survey, this study included dentate subjects, 30-64 yr of age (n = 4,417). Based on interview and questionnaire data, information on nine oral health-related habits was elicited. On average, study subjects reported 4.4 (SD = 1.5) oral health-promoting behaviours among the nine behaviours investigated, the mean number differing according to subjects' gender, educational level, marital status, and employment status. Older age, higher level of education, cohabiting, and being employed were indications of higher numbers of oral health-promoting habits than were younger age, lower levels of education, being single, or being unemployed. Oral health-promotion activities should be tailored and targeted in terms of adults' socio-economic and demographic characteristics, and directed especially towards men, those with lower education, and those who are single or unemployed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Public Health, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. battsetseg.tseveenjav@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Battsetseg
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tseveenjav
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Suominen
authors.forename: Miira M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Vehkalahti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides; D014993:Xylitol