The Social and Behavioural Pathway of Dental Caries Experience among Jewish Adults in Jerusalem

• Published in: Caries research Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 47 - 54
• Main Authors: Zini, A., Sgan-Cohen, H.D., Marcenes, W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.02.2012
• Subjects: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Care - statistics & numerical data; Dental Caries - epidemiology; Dental Plaque Index; Dental Restoration, Permanent - statistics & numerical data; Dentistry; Dentition; Dietary Sucrose - administration & dosage; DMF Index; Educational Status; Employment; Family Characteristics; Feeding Behavior; Female; Health Behavior; Housing; Humans; Israel - epidemiology; Jews - statistics & numerical data; Male; Marital Status; Oral Hygiene - statistics & numerical data; Original Paper; Social Behavior; Tooth Loss - epidemiology; Toothbrushing - statistics & numerical data; Dental health status, Jerusalem; Health behaviour; Social caries determinants
• ISSN: 0008-6568; 1421-976X
• DOI: 10.1159/000335564

Aims: To report dental caries status, related health behaviours and social determinants among a representative sample of adults residing in Jerusalem. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a stratified sample of 254 Jewish and married adults aged 35–44 years in Jerusalem. Dental caries status was examined according to DMFT, percentage of caries-free persons and of people maintaining all their natural teeth (no teeth missing due to caries). The results were analysed by the independent variables and interpreted by weighted caries scores for the total Jerusalem population. Results: The mean age was 38.63 years. Weighted DMFT was found to be 10.59; 6.8% of the population were caries-free; 67.1% demonstrated maintenance of all natural teeth. Level of education was the distal factor, associated with number of natural teeth, DMFT and untreated decay. Mediating behavioural determinants included dental attendance, plaque level and sugar consumption. Discussion: The findings of this study demonstrated that caries experience among Jewish married adults in Jerusalem was moderate with low unmet dental caries needs. Additionally, data confirmed that a low level of education was a strong distal social determinant of caries experience, which affected dental health status via a pathway mediated by behavioural factors.