title: Socioeconomic inequalities in dental services utilisation in a Norwegian county: the third Nord-Trondelag Health Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the level of socioeconomic inequity in dental care utilisation in Norway and enable comparison with recent international comparative studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied dental care utilisation among 17,136 men and 21,414 women in the third Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey (2006-08). Respondents aged 20 years and above were included in the study, and analyses were also performed within subgroups of age and gender (20-39, 40-59, and ≥60 years). Income-related horizontal inequity was estimated by means of concentration indices. Education-related inequity was estimated as relative risks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found consistent pro-rich income inequity among men and women of all ages. The level of income inequity was highest among men and women ≥60 years, and in this group the income gradient was steepest between the poorest and the middle quintiles. Pro-educated inequity was found exclusively among men and women ≥60 years. General attendance was high (77%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall level of income-related inequity in dental services utilisation was low compared to other European countries as reported in two recent international studies of socioeconomic inequalities in dental care utilisation. Pro-rich and pro-educated inequity is a public health challenge mainly in the older part of the population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. eirikv@stud.ntnu.no
authors.forename: Eirik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vikum
authors.forename: Steinar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krokstad
authors.forename: Dorthe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Holst
authors.forename: Steinar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Westin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D012306:Risk; D055815:Young Adult