Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess differences in dental health, need for care and attendance among older adults in two areas of Finland with contrasting socio-cultural and economic backgrounds. A further aim was to analyse and compare the determinants of oral health and dental visiting patterns.
Basic research design and participants: FINRISK senior survey was conducted by the National Public Health Institute in the two areas in 1997. Data were collected through a postal questionnaire, a health examination and an interview, which included questions of number of extracted teeth, dental treatment need and utilisation. The sample consisted of 1,500 persons, 250 women and 500 men aged 65-74 years in both areas; the response rate was 86%.
Results: Forty-one per cent of the respondents reported having lost all their teeth and 44% had visited a dentist during the past year. Differences between the areas concerning both dental health and attendance were considerable. Respondents living in North Karelia had lost more teeth and visited a dentist more seldom than respondents in the Helsinki region. Risk indicators for the number of extracted teeth differed between the areas, while determinants for the dental attendance during the previous year were almost identical. The major predictors for a dental visit during the previous year were number of teeth and household income. Self-perceived need for dental care was minor. Functional capacity, medically compromising diagnoses or medication did not play any apparent role in dental attendance.
Conclusions: The number of teeth together with income are the principal determinants for dental visits among older persons in Finland.