Abstract
Methods: The data are derived from the Belgian “Oral Health Data Registration and Evaluation System (OHDRES) 2009”, collected between September 2009 and November 2010. A multi-stage, stratified cluster sampling technique was used to obtain a sample representative of the Belgian population aged 5 years and older. Data collection consisted of an Oral Health Interview (self-administered questionnaire, pre- tested and validated) and a standardized Oral Health Examination by a dentist during a home visit. ANOVA and multivariable regression analyses were used to reveal associations between social parameters and oral hygiene related parameters with oral health outcomes after correction for age and sex. School aged children, students and retired people were excluded for inferential analyses.
Results: 2742 subjects completed the questionnaire, a clinical oral examination was done for 2563 participants. 53% (N= 1,495) of the participants were female, mean age of 43 years. From the total population 11.1 % were caries-free. The mean DMFT was 10.8 (±8.71). Employment status had a significant influence on untreated tooth decay (p=0.05) and edentulism (p=0.02) while untreated tooth decay was also influenced by frequency of tooth brushing and plaque index (p<0.002 and p>0.001 respectively). People having higher education versus lower or no education or having Belgian nationality versus non-Belgian nationality have lower DMFT-scores (both p=0.003).
Conclusions: Caries prevalence, expressed as mean DMFT and proportion of untreated tooth decay in Belgium are influenced by level of education and employment status respectively. Underprivileged groups have higher DMFT and more untreated dental decay.
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