Objectives: to examine the relationship between dental registration, age, sex and deprivation status at ward and borough level within a socially diverse London Strategic Health Authority (SHA).
Methods: Ward level registration data for 30th September 2003 were obtained from the Dental Practice Board, population data from the Office of National Statistics and the Index of Multiple Deprivation (2004) from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Registrations rates were calculated at ward level and the correlation with deprivation examined.
Results: Registration levels varied by age, sex and deprivation score within and across PCTs. Overall, 40% females were registered cf 35% males within the SHA. The highest registration levels were in the 6-12 age-band (62%) and lowest in the 0-2 age band (11%), followed by older people aged 75 years and over (23%). High levels of social deprivation at ward level were associated with low registration rates for primary dental care. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated and showed a strong correlation between deprivation and registration in the 0-5 year and 6-17 year age-bands within each borough, a relationship which was not apparent for adults aged 18-64 years.
Conclusion: There is a strong correlation between deprivation status and registration in children. Inequalities in service uptake exist between and within PCTs.
Acknowledgements: This work was funded by Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich Primary Care Trusts. Registration Data were supplied by the Dental Practice Board.