Self-Reported Oral Health, Oral Hygiene and Associated Factors in Lithuanian Adult Population, 1994–2014

• Main Authors: Asta Raskiliene, Vilma Kriaucioniene, Jolanta Siudikiene, Janina Petkeviciene
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: oral health; oral hygiene; socio-demographic factors; health behavior; dental care utilization; trends
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/15/5331
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

This study aimed to examine 20-year trends (1994–2014) in self-reported oral health and oral hygiene and to assess the associated factors in a Lithuanian population aged 20–64 years. Nationally representative cross-sectional data on 8612 men and 11,719 women were obtained from 11 biennial postal surveys of Lithuanian health behavior monitoring. Dentate status was assessed by asking about the number of missing teeth. Over the study period, the proportion of men with all teeth increased from 17.5% to 23.0% and the same proportion increased in women—from 12.5% to 19.6%. The prevalence of edentulousness was 2.8% in 2014. The proportion of individuals brushing teeth at least twice a day increased from 14.6% to 31.9% in men and from 33.0% to 58.8% in women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age, lower education, living in rural areas, daily smoking, confectionary consumption (only in women), obesity, no visits to a dentist during the past year, toothache and brushing teeth less than twice a day increased the odds of missing six or more teeth. Efforts should be made to promote good oral hygiene habits, prevent and control behavioral risk factors and increase access to dental care among risk groups.