title: Self-reported oral health and associated factors in the North Finland 1966 birth cohort at the age of 31.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Northern Finland 1966 birth cohort (NFBC 1966) is an epidemiological study where the participants have been controlled since pregnancy both in field tests and using questionnaires. This study aimed to evaluate cross-sectionally the association of self-reported oral symptoms (dental caries and bleeding of gums) with sociodemographic and health behavior factors among the subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the 11,541 original members of the cohort, 8,690 (75%) responded to the questionnaire on oral health (dental decay, gingival bleeding and self-estimated dental treatment need) and sociodemographic factors, general health and health behavior. Cross-tabulation and chi-squared tests as well as multiple logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the association between the outcome and explanatory variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study group was equally distributed between the genders. One third of the subjects reported having dental decay, one fourth gingival bleeding and a half a dental treatment need. As compared to women, men reported significantly more frequently symptoms (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed low tooth brushing frequency increasing the odds most for all oral symptoms ((OR 1.57 (1.39-1.78) for dental decay, 1.94 (1.68-2.24) for gingival bleeding and 1.42 (1.26-1.61) for dental treatment need). Frequent smoking was associated with dental decay (OR 1.63 (1.44-1.84)) and treatment need OR (1.39 (1.23-1.56)), whereas poor general health (OR 1.71 (1.48-1.96)) and high BMI (OR 1.19 (1.03-1.36)) both were associated with gingival bleeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Males with single marital status, BMI over 25, poor general health and poor oral health behaviors are at risk for self-reported poor oral health and dental treatment need.
authors.forename: Terho
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lintula
authors.forename: Ville
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laitala
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pesonen
authors.forename: Kirsi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sipilä
authors.forename: Marja-Liisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Laitala
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taanila
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. vuokko.anttonen@oulu.fi.
authors.forename: Vuokko
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anttonen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D012847:Single Person; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data