Changes in Self-Reported Attendance of British Adults for Dental Check-Ups between 1991 and 2000

Abstract

Objective

To report the changes in self-reported dental check-up patterns of British adults in both the NHS and non-NHS sectors over the period 1991 to 2000.

Method

Longitudinal cross-sectional questionnaire.

Results

Between 1991 and 2000, the annual British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) indicated that there was a steady increase in the percentage of adults who reported having a dental check-up within the previous 12 months, from 53.6% to 62.3%. While the percentage reporting having had a dental check-up under NHS arrangements rose slightly from 44% to 46%, reported non-NHS check-ups rose from 6% to 14%. Variations in reported attendance patterns for check-ups were noted between the sexes and age groups. A higher percentage of females reported having had a dental check-up under NHS arrangements than males, while no differences were found in the non-NHS sector. Those aged between 46–55 years had the highest percentage of dental check-ups (72%) while the lowest was in those aged 66 years or older (43%).

Conclusions

The results of the BHPS indicate that there was an increase in the percentage of British adults attending for a dental check-up within any 12-month period for 1991 to 2000 and that there was considerable variation in attendance by both age and sex.