Objectives: We compared tooth loss (TL), periodontal disease (PD) and pediatric caries (PC) by smoking status (active and passive smoking) using two national data-bases in Japan.
Subjects and Methods: The National Survey of Dental Diseases (NSDD) and the National Nutrition Survey (NNS) were performed in 1999 and each data-base was stored independently. We linked these records using the ID number of household and then compared TL and PD (assessed by the Community Periodontal Index) between non-smokers (NS), ex-smokers (ES) and current smokers (CS), and PC by passive smoking (family smoking).
Results: Among records of 6903 subjects in the NSDD and 12763 in the NNS, 6805 records were linked successfully. Records of 5411, 4828 and 926 subjects were used for analyses of TL, PD and PC, respectively. TL in males was 3.6, 5.2 and 6.4 in age group of 50-59 (p=0.0011 for NS vs. CS), 6.4, 8.6 and 11.3 in 60-69 (p<0.0001) and 14.0, 16.1 and 18.5 in 70- (p=0.0005), for NS, ES and CS, respectively. For TL in females, significant differences were observed in all age groups except for 60-69. Prevalence of PD was 39.3%, 49.5% and 47.3% (p<0.0001, at least one site with more than 4 mm of pocket depth) and 7.9%, 11.7% and 12.4% (p<0.0001, at least one site with more than 6 mm of pocket depth). Possible exposure of children (more than 15 years of age) to tobacco smoke by family member was 46.8% with PC (decayed tooth) and 39.8% without PC (p=0.0376).
Conclusion: These results suggested that active smoking may deteriorate TL and PD of Japanese and passive smoking could also influence pediatric caries. This study was supported by Research Grant of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan.