Abstract
Aim: To describe caries experience of 35-44 year-olds in Riga and to identify determinants associated with presence of decayed surfaces (DS) and the number of sound teeth (ST).
Methods: The present study was part of an oral health cross- sectional investigation in which 350 randomly selected 35-44 years-old adults from Riga were invited to participate. A random sample of individuals was drawn from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs database and letters of invitation were sent. Approval for the study was obtained from the Riga Stradiņš University Ethical Committee. Out of 265 individuals who responded, 134 (51%) participated in the study (the sample is not representative for all Riga 35-44 year-olds). The participants were examined clinically and radiographically. Dental caries was recorded as a DMFT/DMFS-score. A questionnaire was used to collect information about health-related habits (tooth brushing frequency, use of fluorides, smoking), attitudes (dental visits) and socio-demographic parameters (gender, marital status, education). Associations between DMFT, DMFS, number of ST, DS and related factors were tested through multiple logistic regression analysis using the SPSS 20 software.
Results: The mean DMFT-score was 17.6 and the mean DMFS-score was 50.0. The mean DS-score was 8.2, and the mean FS-score was 29.6. The mean number of sound teeth per person was 10.4. Nine individuals (6.7%) had no decayed surfaces. Statistically significant association was found for DMFS and gender (p= 0.03), flossing habits (p=0.01), time since last dental visit (p=0.034). Both DMFT and DMFS were associated with the presence of apical periodontitis (p<0.01). Individuals who had used fluoride toothpaste had lower DS (p=0.049). Males (p=0.03) and those individuals who had visited dentist more than a year period (p=0.01) had more ST.
Conclusions: In the population studied caries prevalence was high and some non-biological factors were associated with dental health.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.