Development of dental status and treatment behavior among Norwegian adults 1973–85

Abstract

Utilization rates, types of dental services received and reports on number of teeth present were studied through seven sets of cross-sectional data collected in 1973, '77, '79, '81, '83 and '85. Personal interviews performed by trained interviewers were held with nationwide probability samples, each of 1500 persons covering the Norwegian population aged 15 and above. During the 12-yr period, the percentage of the samples reporting to have 20 or more teeth increased from 63 in 1973 to 74 in 1985, while the percentage of edentulous subjects dropped from 16 to 12. The time interval since the last dental visit decreased continuously: in 1973, 58% of the sample reported to have paid a dental visit during the last year, in 1983, 70%. Correspondingly, a higher proportion of the samples stated they were regular treatment attenders (52% in 1973 and 67% in 1985), while the proportion of "irregulars" dropped. Although the regularity of the visits probably was somewhat overreported, the favorable trend was substantiated by the information on services received: extractions, denture services and fillings diminished, while preventive and "other" services gained importance. Possible explanations and implications for dental practice and education are discussed.

Trends in reasons for tooth extractions in Norway from 1968 to 1998

“…that the incidence of extractions because of caries decreases with age. The changes between 1968 and 1988 might be attributable mainly to period effects, generally improved oral health, improved availability of dental services, and because patients became more reluctant to have teeth extracted for psycho-social reasons (12,13,30). In our quasi-longitudinal study, the period effects might differ inside the cohorts as well as between them.…”

Ten-Year Incidence of Tooth Loss and Dental Caries in Elderly Swedish Individuals

“…The figures found in 1987 were 72, 49 and 40%, respectively, in the age groups of 55, 65 and 75 years, compared with 86, 73 and 46% in 1997. In the Norwegian study, the percentage of those aged 50 and more who reported having 20 or more teeth had increased from 31% in 1973 to 44% in 1985 [Helöe et al, 1988].…”

“…In the repeated cross-sectional study of inhabitants in the city of Jönkö-ping, Sweden, 20 and 37% were found to be edentulous in the age groups of 60 and 70 years in 1973 compared with 10 and 23% in 1993 [Hugoson et al, 2000]. In Norway, the percentage of edentulous persons aged 15 and over dropped from 16 to 12% during the 12-year period from 1973 to 1985 [Helöe et al, 1988]. The prevalence of edentulism decreased from 19 to 6% among Finnish adults of working age between 1978[Suominen-Taipale et al, 1999.…”

“…These studies are often costly and difficult to accomplish. Most data are therefore obtained from repeated cross-sectional studies [Helöe et al, 1988;Downer, 1991;Brown, 1994;Kalsbeek et al, 1998;Suominen-Taipale et al, 1999;Hugoson et al, 2000;Nunn et al, 2000;Trovik et al, 2000]. The incidence of caries and lost teeth can, however, not be evaluated from cross-sectional surveys.…”

“…Several recent studies confirm that elderly people keep more teeth into old age and that there has been a significant reduction in edentulism [Helöe et al, 1988;Downer, 1991;Ahlqwist et al, 1999;Suominen-Taipale et al, 1999;Hugoson et al, 2000]. Probable reasons for the increased retention of natural teeth are the enhanced awareness of dental health and improved access to dental care.…”