Predicting geographically distributed adult dental decay in the greater Auckland region of New Zealand

• Published in: Community dental health Vol. 31; no. 2; p. 85
• Main Authors: Rocha, C M, Kruger, E, Whyman, R, Tennant, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.06.2014
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Cost of Illness; Dental Caries - epidemiology; Dental Caries - ethnology; Dental Restoration, Permanent - statistics & numerical data; DMF Index; European Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Geographic Mapping; Humans; Middle Aged; New Zealand - epidemiology; New Zealand - ethnology; Oceanic Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Risk Assessment; Social Class; Tooth Loss - epidemiology; Tooth Loss - ethnology; Urban Health - statistics & numerical data; Vulnerable Populations - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; New Zealand
• ISSN: 0265-539X
• DOI: 10.1922/CDH_3311Kruger06

To model the geographic distribution of current (and treated) dental decay on a high-resolution geographic basis for the Auckland region of New Zealand. The application of matrix-based mathematics to modelling adult dental disease-based on known population risk profiles to provide a detailed map of the dental caries distribution for the greater Auckland region. Of the 29 million teeth in adults in the region some 1.2 million (4%) are suffering decay whilst 7.2 million (25%) have previously suffered decay and are now restored. The model provides a high-resolution picture of where the disease burden lies geographically and presents to health planners a method for developing future service plans.