Caries prevalence and determinants among 12-year-olds in North-West Russia and Northern Norway.

OBJECTIVES: To assess oral health and oral health associated factors in 12-year-olds and to establish determinants explaining variation in oral health among children representing two areas in the Barents region - Arkhangelsk in North-West Russia and Tromsø in Northern Norway. METHODS: The samples consisted of Russian (N=590) and Norwegian (N=264) 12-year-olds and their parents selected according to stratified one-stage cluster design. The study included clinical examination (children) and self-reports (children and parents). The child's oral health was recorded under field conditions. Statistical analyses were conducted on pooled samples of subjects. RESULTS: The mean DMFT/S-scores were 3.0/4.4 for the Russian and 1.2/1.5 for the Norwegian children (p<0.001). In multiple logistic regressions, country of origin (OR=3.8) and filling obtained during last dental visit (OR=5.0) were showing the strongest association with child's dental caries (χ(2)=87; p<0.001). Among parent's variables showing the strongest association with child's dental caries were country of origin (OR=2.4) and oral health problems during the past two years (OR=1.8) (χ(2)=60; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries prevalence was higher among the Russian than the Norwegian children. The overall regression models were significant for both the child and parental variables. The results indicate different impact on child's oral health from children and parental determinants.

Oral health-related quality of life among 12-year-olds in Northern Norway and North-West Russia.

AIMS: To assess self-perceived oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in 12-year-olds living in two areas in the Barents region: North-West Russia (Arkhangelsk) and Northern Norway (Tromsø). METHODS: Sampling was performed according to a stratified cluster design and consisted of 590 Russian and 264 Norwegian 12-year-olds and their parents. After written consent from their parents, 514 Russian (87% attendance) and 124 Norwegian (47% attendance) children entered the study. The study included clinical examination (children) and questionnaires (children and parents). Dental caries and the aesthetic dental appearance were recorded under field conditions. Self-reports on background variables and oral health-related quality of life questions (CPQ11-14) were completed in classroom settings by children and at home by parents. RESULTS: OHRQoL was found to vary depending on country of origin, with higher scores of CPQ11-14 domains among 12-year-olds from Russia. OHRQoL was found to be associated with dental caries, with higher scores among 12-year olds with caries. Inferior emotional and social well-being were established as having the strongest association with quality of life. Dental caries showed an independent effect on OHRQoL scores, but this effect disappeared when controlling for background variables, with country of origin, family economy, parental education and aesthetic appearance as the most influential (R²=0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Norwegian 12-year-olds had better oral health and OHRQoL than their Russian counterparts. The impact of dental caries on OHRQoL was weak and aesthetic dental appearance and socio-economic determinants were found to be more important, probably reflecting the great differences in the standards of living between Northern Norway and North-West Russia.

Oral health care and dental treatment needs in the Barents region.

OBJECTIVES: The first aim was to study how oral health care delivery was organized in member countries and to determine whether there were differences across the Barents region. The second aim was to assess the performance of the care provision systems. The Barents region is one of the largest hinterlands in northern Europe. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptions of the oral health care provision systems in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia were written. Performance of the care provision systems was assessed by evaluating access to and use of services in relation to oral health. METHODS: National statistics, governmental reports and scientific publications were used as data sources. Data were supplemented by sending questioning to national and local managers and experts. Inter- and intra-country comparisons included dental health status, service availability and restrictions, financial support for oral health care, availability of dental personnel and use of services. RESULTS: In the Barents region, oral health care provision systems, mainly operating via the public sector, were in place in all countries. However, in most countries, oral health was poorer, access to care more difficult and use of services lower, mainly because of a lack of dental personnel and economic constraints. Overall, there was a huge difference in the inhabitants to dentist ratios between the Nordic countries and Russia. CONCLUSIONS: Professional co-operation within dentistry should be integral to the Barents region in order to expand the number of dental personnel, improve oral health and increase access to dental care.

Oral health and quality of life in Norwegian and Russian school children: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To document the oral health status, to study oral health determinants and oral health-related quality of life among 12-year-olds from the Barents Euro-Arctic Region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in Severodvinsk (North-West Russia) and Tromsø (Northern Norway). Two schools representing each region were selected and all 12-year-old pupils having obtained their parents' written consent were included (Severodvinsk n=48, Tromsø n=36). Background factors were collected by questionnaires. Oral health conditions, i.e. caries (DMFT/S), oral hygiene (OHI-S) and satisfaction with their own dental appearance were recorded under field conditions and possible associations between background factors and the children's oral health status were studied. RESULTS: Oral health was better among Norwegian than Russian participants. The most important factors explaining variation in oral health were country of origin and treatment (filling/no filling) received at the last dental visit. Among parental factors, education and oral health status were of importance. Oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) was found to be related to oral health conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Norwegian 12 year old pupils presented with better oral health than their Russian counterparts. Oral health is of importance for self-perceived quality of life.