title: Does a social/behavioural gradient in dental health exist among adults? A cross-sectional study.
abstract: Objective To explore the potential presence of a social/behavioural gradient in dental health among Italian adults using a cross-sectional study. Methods Caries indices were recorded among 480 subjects (52.9% men, 47.1% women) who also completed a structured self-administered social and behavioural questionnaire. A social/behavioural gradient was generated as the sum of the worst circumstances recorded on the questionnaire (cariogenic diet, smoking, lowest occupational profile, brushing teeth < twice daily, lowest educational level, uneven dental examination attendance). Results Caries figures (DMFT) and the number of filled sound teeth (FS-T) were statistically significantly linked to the social/behavioural gradient (DMFT: χ2(9)= 20.17 p = 0.02, Z = 0.02 p = 0.99; FS-T: χ2(9)= 25.68 p < 0.01, Z = -4.31 p < 0.01). DMFT was statistically significantly associated with gender and with social and behavioural variables. FS-T was higher in women (p = 0.03) and was linked to smoking ( p < 0.01). Conclusions The proposed social/behavioural gradient demonstrated how subjects reporting the worst circumstances on the questionnaire exhibited the worst dental health. The use of the gradient demonstrates that health promotion and prevention cannot be compartmentalized.
authors.affiliation: 1 Depertment of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariantonietta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arrica
authors.affiliation: 1 Depertment of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carta
authors.affiliation: 1 Depertment of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.|2 World Health Organization, Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology and Preventive Dentistry, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cocco
authors.affiliation: 2 World Health Organization, Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology and Preventive Dentistry, Milan, Italy.|3 Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Lombardia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cagetti
authors.affiliation: 1 Depertment of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.|2 World Health Organization, Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology and Preventive Dentistry, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campus
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Lazio, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ierardo
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Lazio, Italy.
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ottolenghi
authors.affiliation: 1 Depertment of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sale
authors.affiliation: 2 World Health Organization, Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology and Preventive Dentistry, Milan, Italy.|3 Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Lombardia, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strohmenger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Caries; adults; behaviour; risk assessment; social economical