Dental Health of Adults Over 40 in Shandong, China
Author Information
Author(s): Zhang Qian, Witter Dick J, Bronkhorst Ewald M, Creugers Nico HJ
Primary Institution: Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Qingdao University
Hypothesis
This study aims to describe the dental status and determine associations of demographic variables and socio-economic status with dental health in adults over 40.
Conclusion
The majority of adults over 40 years presented a reduced dentition, with molars being most affected by decay and tooth loss.
Supporting Evidence
- 78% of rural subjects had at least one decayed tooth.
- Females had a higher chance of having decayed teeth but lower chance of missing teeth.
- Urban residents had a 5 times higher chance of having filled teeth compared to rural residents.
- 64% of subjects over 70 had less than 20 natural teeth.
Takeaway
Most people over 40 in Shandong, China, have fewer teeth than they should, especially molars, and many don't have enough dental care.
Methodology
Data on dental status were collected through interviews and clinical examinations of 1588 subjects aged over 40 from urban and rural areas.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to convenience sampling in urban areas and reliance on self-reported socio-economic status.
Limitations
The urban sample may not fully represent the population due to challenges in obtaining a truly representative sample.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 799 females and 789 males, with a mix of urban and rural residents.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p ≤ 0.01
Confidence Interval
[0.98 - 1.01]
Statistical Significance
p ≤ 0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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