Condition of teeth in relation to use of dental care

Objectives: To assess longitudinally how self-reported use of dental care determines condition of teeth in adult Finns. Methods: The data include dentate Finnish adults aged 30 years or over who participated in identical clinical oral examinations in 2000/1 and 2004/5 and who replied to questions of dental care utilization in 2002 and 2004/5 (n = 899). Results: During the study period number of decayed teeth increased in participants who did not report any dental visits or only in 2002. Number of filled teeth increased most in those reporting only recent visit to a dental care. Frequent users (visited dental care both in 2002 and 2004/5) had lowest number of decayed and highest number of teeth present. They also had lowest number of sound and highest number of filled teeth. In addition of dental care condition of teeth at baseline had effect. Reduction in number of decayed teeth was largest in those having more decayed teeth at baseline and had visited dental care since then. Number of sound and filled teeth decreased while teeth with broken fillings or decay increased in those having no caries at baseline regardless of use of dental care. Number of decayed teeth and/or broken fillings increased most in those having largest number of filled teeth at baseline, especially among those who did not visit dental care. In preliminary regression analyses female gender and more frequent dental care use reduced both the number of decayed teeth and teeth with broken fillings even when adjusted by condition of teeth at baseline. Conclusions: During the four year follow-up dental care benefited most those persons having largest number of decayed teeth at baseline. In adult populations high numbers of filled teeth induce treatment and compose a risk for dental health.