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Dental Health Differences by Social Class in Home‐Dwelling Seniors of Barcelona, Spain
Author(s) -
Pizarro Vladimir,
Ferrer Montserrat,
DomingoSalvany Antonia,
Benach Joan,
Borrell Carme,
Puigvert Josep,
Alonso Jordi
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2006.tb04086.x
Subject(s) - social class , oral health , medicine , cohort , gerontology , cohort study , dental health , demography , dentistry , sociology , pathology , political science , law
Background: The aim of this study was to assess dental health differences by social class in home‐dwelling seniors in Spain. Methods: A cross‐sectional household survey of a cohort of senior residents in Barcelona (Spain) was undertaken. Of 891 survivors (72 years or older), 561 (62.9%) oral examinations were completed according to the DMF Index (Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth). Results: 42% of participants were edentate. The individuals of social class IV‐V were more likely to be edentate, and to have fewer than 15 teeth compared to those in social class I‐II. The DMF Index in dentate individuals (Adjusted mean=16.4) also showed significantly worse dental health for lower social classes (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate a different level of utilization of dental health services and dental health by social class in home‐dwelling seniors. Further research is needed to understand the barriers of access and social inequality.