Oral health status of patients in oral health consultation center

Objectives: To investigate the oral health status of patients attending the Oral Health Consultation Center in Beijing Stomatological Hospital and analyze the relationship between patients oral health status and their oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior. Methods: During September to October of 2007, patients attending the Oral Health Consultation Center in Beijing Stomatological Hospital were recruited into this study. Each patient received a clinical examination conducted by an experienced dentist. The WHO criteria were used to register decayed, missing and filled teeth. Patient was asked to complete a questionnaire, including patients' demographic background, oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior. Results: Totally, 505 patients (mean age 53.0 years, s.d. 16.8) completed the clinical examination and questionnaire. The prevalence of caries experience of the patients was 76.8%. The mean DMFT score of the subjects was 4.33 (s.d.=4.47). According to the highest CPI score, only 2.6% had healthy periodontal tissue (CPI=0), 4.8% had bleeding on probing only (CPI=1), 36.2% had calculus but no periodontal pockets (CPI=2), 41.4% had shallow pockets (CPI=3), and 15.0% had deep pockets (CPI=4). The main dental visit complains were toothache (36.0%), only 7.1% dental visits were asking for regular dental check-up. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) showed that education level, oral health behavior and utility of oral health service were significantly associated with the DMFT score (p<0.01). Conclusions:The oral health status and oral hygiene status of the patients visiting the Oral Health Consultation Center were poor. The dental visit was still disease-oriented.