Reasons of tooth loss in economically actives adults

Author(s)

Marília Jesus Batista

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba
• Defense date: 2010-10-02

Examining board members

Maria da Luz Rosário de Sousa; Silvio Rocha Correa da Silva; Ronaldo Seichi Wada

• Advisor: Maria da Luz Rosário de Sousa

Abstract

The objective of this study was to verify the oral health conditions of adults between the age of 20 and 64 years old (chapter 1), identify the risk indicators of tooth loss (chapter 2) and measure the impacts of oral disorders on quality of life (chapter 3). This study was conducted in 11 units of a company's supermarket business of Sao Paulo region. This cross-sectional study examined 387 adults aged 20 to 64 years, expanding the age range of adults recommended by WHO (35-44 years old). The age range was divided into classes of 20 to 34 years, from 35 to 44 years, and 45 to 64 years. The exams followed the recommendations of WHO (1997) and a questionnaire was administered to obtain demographic, socio-economic, health perception and use of dental services data. OHIP14 was used to evaluate the oral health impact on quality of life. A descriptive analysis was realized, Kruskal Wallis test to compare the DMFT between the groups, and chi-square test to determine differences in treatment needs among the groups were used. Tooth loss was analyzed in two outcomes, the loss of a tooth, and the loss of four or more teeth, using the model of Poisson regression. The quartile of greater impact of OHIP was analyzed by the model of regression of Poisson with the demographic, socioeconomic, clinical and service utilization. The DMFT of the sample was 14.56 (± 8.31), ranged from 10.79 to 22.10 (± 7.32) among age groups. The missing teeth component was responsible for this increase. Majority of the adults had bleeding gums, with the lost of insertion affecting more than the sextant 3 (tooth 24 to 28), especially in older age groups. Treatment needs for caries was found in 53.5% of adults. The mean of missing teeth was 5.38, ranging from 1.30 in the young adults to 24.75 in the 60 to 64 year group. Tooth loss was more pronounced in the age group between 30 and 35 years old. The outcome of losing some teeth showed a higher prevalence of tooth loss in older people, in those with visible plaque at the time of examination, and those who visited the dentist less than one year ago. The outcome of losing four teeth or more were associated with being older, visible plaque and lower family income. Higher scores among these workers were found in physical pain and psychological disconfort mainly. Being a woman, have lower family income, look for a dentist motivated by pain, having lost 4 or more teeth and have made some need treatment for tooth decay were factors associated with greater impact on quality of life. It is necessary to implement programs to promote oral health based on fairness, integrity and universality, aimed at the empowerment of young and adult population, so that they are prevented new tooth loss, improving the quality of life of adult workers and reducing the effects of socioeconomic inequalities. (AU)