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Objectives: This register‐based study on public sector patients aged 60 years and over assessed annual age‐specific volume of and reasons for tooth extractions as well as changes in these across the period 2007‐2015. Background: Alongside the rapidly ageing population, the demand for public oral healthcare services is growing. Damaged teeth may induce a long‐lasting inflammation burden in old age. Materials and methods: Data used the electronic documentation of oral healthcare procedures recorded according to healthcare regulation. The study population consisted of all patients over 60 years of age (n = 216 059) who were treated 2007‐2015 in public oral health care available to all citizens of Helsinki, Finland. Data for the 9‐year time series included reasons for tooth extractions and were aggregated by patient age into 5‐year groups. Statistical analyses included rates and proportions, mean values, correlation coefficients and linear regression modelling. Results: Extraction patients (n = 48 623) were more likely in the older age groups: 21.8% in the age group 60‐64 and 27.5% in the age group 90+. Mean number of tooth extractions among all patients was 0.4 per patient and 1.7 per extraction patient. Among all tooth extractions (n = 82 677), main reasons were caries 29.5%, apical periodontitis 19.4%, tooth remnant 19.4% and periodontitis 18.0%. Tooth remnant predominated as extraction reason in the oldest age groups, while apical periodontitis displayed an upward trend by calendar year. Conclusion: Tooth extractions attributable to caries were common in all old‐age groups, tooth remnant extractions were most common in older age groups, and apical periodontitis abounded as extraction reason during 2007‐2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This register-based study assessed the frequency of and age-specified variation in tooth extractions in adults visiting private dentists in Finland in 2012–2017. Retrospective study design was used on the register-based data of private sector services. Data of the entire 6 years, 2012–2017, included records of a total of 6,252,039 patients. From among these, further detailed information was gathered in 2012 for 1,058,305 patients, and in 2017, for 985,043 patients. For each 6 years, the data were aggregated into patients' 5-year age groups that were observation elements. Proportions of patients undergoing oral surgical treatments were compared during the 6 years 2012–2017, and details of tooth extractions in 2012 and 2017. Linear regression modelling was used to analyse thinkable age- and year-related inclinations in oral surgical treatments. Across the 6 years, a total of 848,362 patients (13.6%) underwent oral surgical treatments, and the rates varied by year 13.3–13.8%. By age group, the smallest rates (9–10%) were for 35–49-year-olds and greatest (20–22%) for those aged below 25 or over 84. The rates in same-age groups were stable. In 2012 and 2017, mean numbers of tooth extractions per patient by year were 0.17 and 0.18, and per patients undergoing oral surgical treatments, 1.29 and 1.27, respectively. Proportion of patients undergoing oral surgical treatments and mean number of tooth extractions per patient was greater in younger and older age groups. Tooth extractions in adults are age-dependent and age-specified differences remain stable across the years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between plaque and caries in older children and adults has been poor, however, some studies show that there may be a relationship in younger children. The aim was to study the relationships between dental caries and dental plaque among 12-36-month-olds in Tehran, Iran. A cross-sectional study among a stratified random sample of 504 children aged one to three years from 18 public health centres in Tehran. Mothers were interviewed about their child′s date and order of birth, gender, primary caregiver, the mother′s age and the educational level of both parents. Dental examination was carried out according to the WHO criteria. Early childhood caries (ECC) was defined as the presence of any dmf teeth. Dental plaque was visually inspected on the labial surfaces of upper central incisors. Data analysis included Chi-square test, t -test, anova and logistic regression modelling. The prevalence of ECC ranged from 3 to 33% depending on age group, with a mean dt of 1.1 for 26- to 36-month-olds. No gender-differences existed in ECC prevalence and mean dt. Dental plaque was visible on at least one index tooth for 65-75% of the children. Presence of ECC was related to the presence of dental plaque (OR=1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.3) when controlling for background factors by means of logistic regression. The high occurrence of visible plaque and rather high ECC prevalence call for improvement in oral health promotion programs of the children.

Purpose: To assess factors related to satisfaction with dental care and its role in dental health-related behaviour among Lithuanian university employees. Materials and Methods: Our cross-sectional survey collected data on respondents' satisfaction with dental care using 24 statements. The self-administered questionnaire also inquired about dental attendance, dental health-related behaviour and attitudes, self-assessed dental status and background details. All 35-to 44-year-old employees (n = 862) of four universities in Lithuania were invited to participate; 64% (n = 553) responded, 78% of them were women. Statements on satisfaction with technical, personal and organisational dimensions of the dental surgery were assessed using a five-point scale, ranging from entirely agree to entirely disagree, with higher scores indicating stronger agreement. Overall satisfaction scores were summed and subjects divided into tertiles to evaluate dental health-related behaviour. For the logistic regression model, subjects were divided into two groups of satisfaction level (below and above the mean of the sum score). Results: Subjects were highly satisfied with dental care, with the mean sum score being 99.5 (SD = 12.62, range 59-120). Stronger satisfaction was reported by those visiting private practices (p < 0.001) and the same dentist longer (p = 0.006) and by those who entirely agreed with the statements on dental health-related attitudes (p ≤ 0.001). The logistic regression model showed that higher satisfaction with dental care level was more likely for those who indicated check-up-based regular dental attendance (OR = 1.7) and brushing their teeth at least twice daily (OR = 1.6). Conclusions: Satisfaction with dental care is positively related to individuals' dental health-related attitudes and behaviour among highly-educated subjects in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]