title: Change in FS-T index in adults in the German national oral health surveys between 1989 and 2005.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess changes in the number of functioning teeth (filled and sound teeth, FS-T index) from 1989/1992 to 2005 in West and East Germany and to evaluate survey- and region-specific associations between sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors and the FS-T index.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within the German Oral Health Studies, random samples from 35-44-year-olds were drawn in 1989, 1992, 1997 and 2005. The FS-T index and a questionnaire with socioeconomic and behavioral items were assessed. Negative binomial regression models were evaluated, including all sociodemographic and behavioral factors simultaneously as independent variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For West Germany, median FS-T index increased by 3 teeth between 1989 and 2005 (Ptrend < 0.001). In East Germans, FS-T index was similar in 1992 and 1997 (median, 24), but increased by one tooth until 2005 (Ptrend < 0.001). For West and East Germany, middle and high school education were significantly associated with higher FS-T indices in all surveys, although effects were most pronounced in 2005. Being married, reporting regular dental visits and good oral hygiene were significantly related to a higher number of functioning teeth in at least one survey year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dental health assessed as the number of functioning teeth improved between 1989/92 and 2005 in both German parts and across all educational levels. However, considering the educational level, dental health was less equally distributed in 2005 compared with previous surveys.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Periodontology, and Endodontology, University Medicine, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. birte.holtfreter@uni-greifswald.de
authors.forename: Birte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Holtfreter
authors.forename: Marie H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kocher
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schiffner
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Micheelis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D005859:Germany, East / Q000453:epidemiology; D005860:Germany, West / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D062410:Snacks; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data