The regional distribution and sociodemographic characteristics of adults with Significant Tooth Loss / 대한구강보건학회지

ABSTRACT

Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to assess the applicability of the Significant Tooth Loss index as a new statistical indicator and to analyze the socio-economic factors of the participants included in the Significant Tooth Loss. @*Methods@#This study used raw data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018). The survey included 13,199 adults aged ≥19 years. The Significant Tooth Loss was defined as a group with more than a third quartile (top 1/4) of the total number of tooth loss. The Significant Tooth Loss index was defined as the mean tooth loss in the group. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the socio-economic factors of the Significant Tooth Loss, and absolute and relative differences were calculated to confirm oral health inequality. @*Results@#Among overall tooth loss in adults, the proportion of tooth loss in the Significant Tooth Loss was 83.8%. The Significant Tooth Loss index was a useful indicator to determine oral health statistics. Socio-economic factors that were associated with significant tooth loss were age, gender, region, household income, and education. Oral health inequality was observed based on household income and education. @*Conclusions@#The Significant Tooth Loss index should be used to measure the level of oral health. Measures to reduce tooth loss should be investigated.