Changes in Functional Dentition in Chile from 2003 to 2016-17

Objectives: To evaluate changes in the prevalence and disparities in functional dentition in adults in Chile over a 13-year period.
Methods: Secondary analysis using the National Health Surveys in Chile in 2003 and 2016-17. Education level was the social variable used to make comparisons. Individuals aged 25 years and older were selected and 20 teeth or more was considered functional dentition. The difference of proportion between extreme groups and the Slope Index of Inequality(SII) were used to describe disparities and its changes over time.
Results: The proportion with functional dentition was 46.5% in 2003 and 57.0% in 2016-17. It was 28.7%, 64.9% and 85.2% in 2003 for each educational level:<9 years, 8-12 and 13 and more years, respectively; and 27.1%, 70.4% and 88.0% in 2016-17. The gap in the proportion of functional dentition between extreme education groups increased from 2003 to 2016-17 (56.5 vs 60.9). The SII was 0.70(95%CI:0.67;0.74) in 2003 and 0.76(95%CI:0.74;0,79) in 2016-17.
Conclusions: The prevalence of adults with non-functional dentition decreased in Chile over time. However, the disparity between social groups increased and the positive effects were caused by the groups with higher educational level, demonstrating limitations of the current approach to reduce inequalities in tooth loss.