TY - JOUR

T1 - Self-reported oral hygiene practices among adults in Denmark

AU - Christensen, Lisa Bøge

AU - Petersen, Poul Erik

AU - Krustrup, Ulla

AU - Kjøller, Mette

PY - 2003/12

Y1 - 2003/12

N2 - OBJECTIVES: To assess the present level of oral hygiene practices in the Danish adult population aged 16 or above, in particular to analyse how self-care practices in terms of oral hygiene habits and cleaning of dentures are affected by socio-economic factors, dental status, actual dental visiting habits, and the experience of oral health care during school years.BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional study of 5802 persons, randomly sampled amongst the Danish population aged 16 years or above. Data were collected by means of personal interviews and self-administered questionnaires. The response rate was 66%.RESULTS: Toothbrushing twice-a-day was reported by 68% of the dentates while 32% brushed their teeth once-a-day or less frequent. Daily use of toothpicks was reported by 28% while daily use of dental floss was reported by 11%. Oral hygiene habits were more frequent amongst women. Toothbrushing twice-a-day was related to regular dental visits, dental care during school years, and a high level of education. Daily use of toothpicks was more common among females and older persons. Regular dental visits, having 20 or more teeth in situ, and regular dental service through school years were predictors for daily use of toothpicks. Amongst denture wearers, one-third cleaned their dentures twice-a-day. Frequency of denture cleaning was significantly associated with gender, age, number of teeth left, and educational level.CONCLUSION: Intensive population-directed strategies for oral health education should be considered in order to further improve the oral hygiene practices of the entire population.

AB - OBJECTIVES: To assess the present level of oral hygiene practices in the Danish adult population aged 16 or above, in particular to analyse how self-care practices in terms of oral hygiene habits and cleaning of dentures are affected by socio-economic factors, dental status, actual dental visiting habits, and the experience of oral health care during school years.BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional study of 5802 persons, randomly sampled amongst the Danish population aged 16 years or above. Data were collected by means of personal interviews and self-administered questionnaires. The response rate was 66%.RESULTS: Toothbrushing twice-a-day was reported by 68% of the dentates while 32% brushed their teeth once-a-day or less frequent. Daily use of toothpicks was reported by 28% while daily use of dental floss was reported by 11%. Oral hygiene habits were more frequent amongst women. Toothbrushing twice-a-day was related to regular dental visits, dental care during school years, and a high level of education. Daily use of toothpicks was more common among females and older persons. Regular dental visits, having 20 or more teeth in situ, and regular dental service through school years were predictors for daily use of toothpicks. Amongst denture wearers, one-third cleaned their dentures twice-a-day. Frequency of denture cleaning was significantly associated with gender, age, number of teeth left, and educational level.CONCLUSION: Intensive population-directed strategies for oral health education should be considered in order to further improve the oral hygiene practices of the entire population.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Age Factors

KW - Aged

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Denmark

KW - Dental Care

KW - Dental Devices, Home Care

KW - Denture Cleansers

KW - Dentures

KW - Educational Status

KW - Female

KW - Health Education, Dental

KW - Humans

KW - Logistic Models

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Odds Ratio

KW - Questionnaires

KW - Self Disclosure

KW - Sex Factors

KW - Social Class

KW - Toothbrushing

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 14696742

VL - 20

SP - 229

EP - 235

JO - Community Dental Health

JF - Community Dental Health

SN - 0265-539X

IS - 4

ER -