Dental attendance and dental status

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between differences in dental attendance patterns and variations in dental status. A sample of 336 dentate men and 110 dentate women were selected at random from employees of two industrial plants in N.W. England in 1980. They were given a dental examination and asked about visits to the dentist. Regression analysis showed that while the more frequent the dental visits, the lower the rate of tooth loss and the fewer the number of teeth with active decay, the higher, however, the average number of fillings. There were significant differences, moreover, between manual and non-manual workers, the former being more likely to lose their teeth and the latter to have their teeth filled, at each given age and frequency of dental visit. Though the more frequent dental attenders had the advantage over the less frequent of having, on average, a higher number of functioning teeth, restored or otherwise sound, they also had the disadvantage of having higher levels of treated disease and thus of disease experience. The results suggest that while frequent dental visits help to postpone tooth loss and to maintain dental function, they do not apparently help to prevent the onset of further disease.

The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of routine dental checks: a systematic review and economic evaluation

“…In one study the intervention appeared free at the point of use to all participants, 48 in seven the intervention appeared free at the point of use to some members of the study population, 31,41,65,83,91,94,97 and in two the system of access was not clear but high coverage of the target population was reported. 88,90 In 19 studies insufficient information was provided to ascertain the study sample's access to the required intervention.…”

“…37,41,48,88,90, 92-94,100(a),100(b),100(c) Fifteen studies relied on the reports of individuals' dental check frequency behaviour from self-administered questionnaires or interviews. 25,31,49,57,58,[60][61][62]64,65,71,83,85,91,97 In three it was not clear how dental check frequency was ascertained. 98(a),98(b), 98(c) Information about payment systems to dental practitioners was poorly reported.…”

Can dental attendance improve quality of life?

“…6 On the other hand, there is a large amount of evidence about the benefit of regular dental attendance -for example, less untreated decay, a lower rate of tooth loss and a higher number of functioning teeth (restored or otherwise sound teeth). 4,6 Furthermore, it has been argued that regular dental attenders experience less pain, have less 'gaps' from tooth loss and have less untreated disease. 2 There is currently a growing interest in oral health outcomes in terms of how oral health affects quality of life.…”

“…5,6 It has also been suggested that regular dental attendance may not help prevent the onset of further dental disease. 6 On the other hand, there is a large amount of evidence about the benefit of regular dental attendance -for example, less untreated decay, a lower rate of tooth loss and a higher number of functioning teeth (restored or otherwise sound teeth). 4,6 Furthermore, it has been argued that regular dental attenders experience less pain, have less 'gaps' from tooth loss and have less untreated disease.…”

Left in the dark

“…There is an urgent need for evidence-based papers like this, as we increasingly face patients armed with extensive 'reading off the Internet' -some of which is simply wrong, but a lot is opinion -which we have difficulty finding research for or against, because we are so busy simply doing the work! A lot of the statements made in this paper simply either reinforce or contradict current professional dogma, without providing us with the tools for making our own minds up on the validity ( [1][2][3] The average number of restorations placed also increased significantly with a change in dentist. 2 The lowest survival of restorations was strongly and directly related to the shortest median frequency of attendances, due possibly to the higher occurrence of dental problems in the most frequent attendees.…”