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Socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in oral health among children and adolescents living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:Although adolescence is a sensitive developmental period in oral health, the social equalization hypothesis that suggests health inequalities attenuate in adolescence has not been examined. This study analyses whether the socioeconomic gap and ethnic disadvantage in oral health among children aged 5 reduces among adolescents aged 15. METHODS:Data from the cross-sectional Children's Dental Health Survey 2013 were analysed, comprising of 8541 children aged 5, 8, 12 and 15 attending schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Oral health indicators included decayed and filled teeth, plaque, gingivitis and periodontal health. Ethnicity was measured using the 2011 UK census ethnic categories. Socioeconomic position was measured by family, school and residential deprivation. Negative binomial and probit regression models estimated the levels of oral health by ethnicity and socioeconomic position, adjusted for demographic and tooth characteristics. RESULTS:The predicted rate of decayed teeth for White British/Irish children aged 5 was 1.54 (95%CI 1.30-1.77). In contrast, the predicted rate for Indian and Pakistani children was about 2-2.5 times higher. At age 15, ethnic differences had reduced considerably. Family deprivation was associated with higher levels of tooth decay among younger children but not among adolescents aged 15. The influence of residential deprivation on the rate of tooth decay and filled teeth was similar among younger and older children. Moreover, inequalities in poor periodontal health by residential deprivation was significantly greater among 15-year-old children compared to younger children. CONCLUSIONS:This study found some evidence of smaller ethnic and family socioeconomic differences in oral health among British adolescents compared to younger children. However, substantial differences in oral health by residential deprivation remain among adolescents. Community levels of deprivation may be particularly important for the health of adolescents.

SUBMITTER: Rouxel P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6849874 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in oral health among children and adolescents living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Rouxel Patrick P Chandola Tarani T

Community dentistry and oral epidemiology 20180610 5

<h4>Objectives</h4>Although adolescence is a sensitive developmental period in oral health, the social equalization hypothesis that suggests health inequalities attenuate in adolescence has not been examined. This study analyses whether the socioeconomic gap and ethnic disadvantage in oral health among children aged 5 reduces among adolescents aged 15.<h4>Methods</h4>Data from the cross-sectional Children's Dental Health Survey 2013 were analysed, comprising of 8541 children aged 5, 8, 12 and 15 ...[more]

PMID: 29888400

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Project description:BackgroundDental caries is the most prevalent condition globally. Despite improvements over the past few decades, there remains a significant disease burden in childhood. Epidemiological surveys provide insight to disease patterns and trends, and have traditionally focused on obvious decay which are inconsistent with contemporary clinical criteria. This study examined the distribution of dental caries in 12- and 15-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, by severity threshold, at surface, tooth and child level and explored its association with socioeconomic, psychological and behavioural factors.MethodsData from 12- and 15-year-olds in the 2013 Children's Dental Health Survey (CDHS 2013) were analysed at three levels, taking account of dental caries thresholds which involved recording both clinical decay [visual enamel caries (AV) and above] and obvious decay [non-cavitated dentine lesions (2V) and above]. Negative binomial regression was used to identify factors associated with dental caries experience at both thresholds.ResultsThe prevalence and severity of dental caries experience was higher among 15-year-olds at all levels. Visual change in enamel (AV) was by far the most common stage of caries recorded in both ages. The average number of surfaces with obvious decay experience, which has been the traditional epidemiological threshold, in 12- and 15-year-olds was 2.3 and 3.9 respectively. The corresponding values under the clinical decay threshold were higher, at 3.9 and 5.9 respectively. Visualisation of the distribution of dental caries at surface/tooth-level exhibited horizontal symmetry and to a lesser extent vertical symetry. In the adjusted models for both ages, country/region, school type, area deprivation, high frequency sugar consumption and irregular dental attendance were associated with greater caries experience in both groups. Dental anxiety was inversely associated with caries experience among 15-year-olds.ConclusionThis research highlights the importance of recognising dental caries patterns by surface, tooth and child-level amongst adolescents and the value of reporting dental caries distribution by threshold in epidemiological surveys, including its relevance for clinical care. Inclusion of enamel caries reveals the extent of caries management required at a point when non-invasive care is possible, emphasising the importance of prevention through contemporary primary care, which includes supporting self-care.

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Socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in oral health among children and adolescents living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Publications

Socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in oral health among children and adolescents living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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