Dental knowledge and oral health among middle-aged adults

Abstract

Objective: Knowledge of oral disease prevention should lead to better oral health outcomes. The aims were to assess the association of dental knowledge and oral health. Methods: A random sample of 45-54 year-olds from Adelaide, South Australia, was surveyed in 2004/05. Oral examinations provided data on caries. Results: A total of 879 persons returned questionnaires (response=43.8%) with 709 (80.7%) examined. The majority rated ‘seeing a dentist regularly’ (63.0%), ‘regular brushing of teeth’ (92.5%) and ‘using fluoride toothpaste’ (52.2%) as ‘definitely important’ in preventing tooth decay. The percentage of persons who had a high knowledge of tooth decay prevention was 59.9%. Multivariate analysis controlling for sex, place of birth, education and income showed (p<0.05) associations of high dental knowledge of tooth decay prevention with fewer decayed teeth (β=-0.19) and more filled teeth (β=1.13). Conclusions: Dental knowledge was associated with oral health status. Implications: Conveying of information should be one part of oral health promotion actions to improve oral health.