Socioeconomic inequalities in oral health among adults in Tehran, Iran.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the socioeconomic distribution of perceived oral health among adults in Tehran, Iran.


METHODS
A cross-sectional population study.


METHODS
A stratified random sample of 1,100 adults aged 18-84 years living in Tehran.


METHODS
Self-report data were obtained from the 2010 dental telephone interview survey. Oral health was evaluated using self-assessed non-replaced extracted teeth (NRET), and a three-item perceived dental health instrument. Socioeconomic status was measured by combining the variables of education and assets using principal component analysis. Inequalities in oral health were examined using prevalence ratios and concentration index.


RESULTS
The poorest quintile was 1.60 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.30; 1.98) times as likely to have any NRET compared with the richest quintile, indicating a disparity. Inequality was most pronounced in the 35-59 age group with prevalence ratio 2.01 (95% CI 1.26; 3.05). The concentration index of NRET in adults in Tehran was -0.22 (95% CI -0.28; -0.16). No significant differences were found in perceived dental health between socioeconomic classes.


CONCLUSIONS
Adults from lower socioeconomic classes experienced more disabilities due to missing their teeth, specifically in the middle-age group. Inequalities in perceived dental health were not apparent in the studied population.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011203:Poverty; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D057566:Self Report; D012923:Social Class; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult