Long-term Dental Visiting Patterns and Adult Oral Health

Abstract

To date, the evidence supporting the benefits of dental visiting comes from cross-sectional studies. We investigated whether long-term routine dental visiting was associated with lower experience of dental caries and missing teeth, and better self-rated oral health, by age 32. A prospective cohort study in New Zealand examined 932 participants’ use of dentistry at ages 15, 18, 26, and 32. At each age, routine attenders (RAs) were identified as those who (a) usually visited for a check-up, and (b) had made a dental visit during the previous 12 months. Routine attending prevalence fell from 82% at age 15 to 28% by 32. At any given age, routine attenders had better-than-average oral health, fewer had teeth missing due to caries, and they had lower mean DS and DMFS scores. By age 32, routine attenders had better self-reported oral health and less tooth loss and caries. The longer routine attendance was maintained, the stronger the effect. Routine dental attendance is associated with better oral health.

Dental Caries and Related Factors in Vietnamese Dental Patients

“…This may, of course, be that patients are more likely to pay attention to the role of oral health and associated oral health messages influencing their self-care behavior. Despite the fact that promoting regular dental visits is one of cornerstones of preventive dentistry (Alexsson et al, 1991; Murray, 1996; Richards and Ameen, 2002), 16 in our study only one-fourth of the subjects (25.9%) made a dental visit during previous 12 months. This rate is quite low compared with that of Western countries with 50% of the population making a dental visit on a regular basis and much lower than that of the U.S(62%).…”

“…16 Results from our multivariate analysis showed that patients who have not visited dental clinic for the last year were more likely to have dental caries (OR = 2.06, p = 0.026) in comparison with their counterparts. At our Faculty, before scaling calculus and dental plaque, dental major students had the responsibility of teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health.…”

Uso regular de serviços odontológicos entre adultos e idosos em região vulnerável no sul do Brasil

“…1,6,12 This use creates constant contact between the patient and health provider, contributes to increased knowledge of oral health, improved self-care allows for early identifi cation of dental problems, facilitating recuperation. 6 A birth cohort study found that young adults, who were classifi ed as regular users, presented a self-perception of oral health as "better than average," less teeth with caries and less dental loss due to caries, 18 even after controlling for sex, socioeconomic stats and a plaque index.…”

Factors associated with Regular Dental Attendance among White-collar Workers

“…Regular dental attendance has been reported to be associated with better oral status and oral health-related quality of life [1][2][3][4][5]. Thomson et al reported that long-term routine dental attendance would be related to better self-reported oral health and less tooth loss and cavities in a prospective cohort study in New Zealand that examined 932 participants from the age of 15 years till the age of 32 years [5].…”

“…Thomson et al reported that long-term routine dental attendance would be related to better self-reported oral health and less tooth loss and cavities in a prospective cohort study in New Zealand that examined 932 participants from the age of 15 years till the age of 32 years [5]. Therefore, promoting and maintaining regular dental attendance is important to improve oral health.…”