The Fifth German Oral Health Study (Fünfte Deutsche Mundgesundheitsstudie, DMS V) – rationale, design, and methods

Abstract

BackgroundOral diseases rank among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in modern societies. In Germany, oral epidemiological data show that both dental caries and periodontal diseases are highly prevalent, though significant improvements in oral health has been taking in the population within the last decades, particularly in children. It is, therefore, the aim of the Fifth German Oral Health Study (DMS V) to actualize the data on current oral health status and to gather information on oral health behavior and risk factors. In addition to current oral health monitoring, the study will also permit conclusions about trends in the development of oral health in Germany between 1989 and 2014.Methods/DesignDMS V is a cross-sectional, multi-center, nationwide representative, socio-epidemiological study to investigate the oral health status und behavior of the German resident population in four age cohorts. Study participants are children (12-year-olds), adults (35- to 44-year-olds), young olds (65- to 74-year-olds), and old olds (75- to 100-year-olds) who are drawn from local residents’ registration offices. Social-science investigation parameters concern subjective perceptions and attitudes regarding oral health and nutrition, sense of coherence, and socio-demographic data. Clinical oral parameters are tooth loss, caries and periodontitis, prosthodontic status, further developmental and acquired dental hard tissue and mucosal lesions. To ensure reproducibility, the dental investigators are trained and calibrated by experts and multiple reliability checks are performed throughout the field phase. Statistical analyses are calculated according to a detailed statistical analysis plan.DiscussionThe DMS studies first performed in 1989, 1992 and repeated in 1997 and 2005 are the only cross-sectional oral health studies conducted in Germany on a population-based national representative level. Updated prevalence and trend analyses of key oral diseases are, therefore, of major epidemiological and health services research interest.Trial registrationGerman Health Services Research Data Bank VfD_DMSV_13_002152

The evolution of treatment over 80 years at the outpatient department of the Viennese school of dentistry

“…Over a period of 80 years, the mean age of patients increased by 10 years, indicating not only higher life expectancy but also that treatment modalities and needs might have shifted over time, since more elderly people came to the outpatient department. A recent investigation into the prevalence of caries and periodontal diseases already showed reduced morbidity and a greater demand for periodontal treatment, although overall prevalence decreased . The outpatient department should consider this trend in an ageing patient population, which was also demonstrated by the current investigation.…”

Higher education in Gerodontology in European Universities

“…Complete and partial edentulism, are still very common in old age, while most of the patients requiring removable dentures are older, often medically compromised, and require prosthodontic techniques that enhance adaptation and motor coordination. Recent data from the German national survey (DMS V) confirms that 72.8% of persons aged 75 years and over were wearing removable dentures [31], while in Switzerland the prevalence of removable prostheses in persons aged over 85 years was 85.9% [32]. …”

All-ceramic, bi-layered crowns supported by zirconia implants: Three-year results of a prospective multicenter study

“…indicators (e.g., mucosal abnormalities, caries, periodontitis, and tooth loss) across four age cohorts in a cross-sectional, socio-epidemiological design [1]. The fifth edition (DMS V), published in 2016, showed a prevalence of 2.1 and 11.1 missing teeth in younger adults (aged 35 to 44 years) and younger elderly (aged 65 to 74 years), respectively [2,3].…”