Systemic health status and self-reported periodontal health among South Africans.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the association between systemic health and self-reported poor periodontal health in South Africa. METHODS: This secondary data analysis focused on dentate adults aged >15 years (n=6,319) who participated in the South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) during 2003/2004.Information obtained included socio-demographic data, and data on health risk behaviours (tobacco and alcohol use) and chronic diseases. The main outcome measure is self-reported poor periodontal health (defined as having had pain or problems with the gums in the 6 months prior to the survey date). Data analysis included t-test, chi-square and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 4.6% (95% CI = 3.9-5.5) self-reported having had a 'gum problem' or poor periodontal health. Those who reported poor periodontal health were significantly older than those who did not report poor periodontal health (36.2 yrs vs. 38.8 yrs; p = 0.02). In a multi-variable adjusted model, those categorized as problem drinkers (2.53; 95% CI = 1.68 - 3.82) as compared to non-drinkers, those who had suffered a stroke (4.13; 95% CI = 1.53- 11.11), or who suffered from arthritis (1.70; 95% CI = 1.00-2.90) all demonstrated significantly higher odds of reporting poor periodontal health. When compared to white South Africans, black South Africans had the highest odds of reporting poor periodontal health (3.91; 95% CI =1.38 -11.05). CONCLUSION: There is a significant association between chronic systemic conditions such as having had a stroke or suffering from arthritis and poor periodontal health in South Africa.

Prevalence and socio-economic disparities in fissure sealant placement among adolescents in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated socio-economic factors associated with the placement of fissure sealants in a population of South African adolescents. METHOD: The study participants were high school students aged 12 to layers who provided baseline data during 2005 in a tobacco-use prevention trial, and consented to oral examination (n=1103). Information was obtained using a self-administered survey questionnaire, including demographic data, data on oral health behaviour, the employment status of parents/guardians, and the family structure of the household and on health insurance enrolment. The main outcome measure was the presence of a fissure sealant on any tooth, recorded using the WHO oral examination protocol. Data were analysed using chi-square statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis (p<0.05). RESULTS: Overall, only 3.5% (n=37) of the study participants had a fissure sealant, and only 31.3% (n=345) had ever made a dental visit. Those who had attended seeking mostly preventive care were significantly more likely to have a fissure sealant than those who had visited mostly when they were in pain (14.2% vs. 2.9%; p<0.001). In the multi-variable adjusted analysis, those reporting to have parents who are both employed (OR = 2.76; 2.26 - 3.38), and reporting regular preventive dental visits (OR = 3.55; 2.28 -5.58) were positively associated with receiving fissure sealant, while those who self-identified as black (OR = 0.04; 0.01 - 0.13), were significantly less likely to present with a fissure sealant as compared with other ethnicity/race groups. CONCLUSIONS: Higher socio-economic status and regular access to preventive care were significantly associated with the placement of fissure sealants in the studied population.