The relationship between aging and oral health inequalities assessed by the DMFT index

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ABSTRACT

Aim

A cross-sectional study to determine the caries experience characteristics and their relationship with aging.

Methods

Using stratified sampling method, 748 subjects divided into 3 age groups of 11-14, 14-17 and
17-20 year-olds (355 females and 393 males, aged 15.11 2.23 years) were examined in urban area of Isfahan (Iran).
The DMFT scores (DT, MT, FT) were recorded. The Student t-test was used to assess any differences in the mean DMFT
score between genders. Simple (DMFT >0), severe caries experience (DMFT >8), severe form of filling (FT>3), and
decay (DT>6) were calculated. Chi-square tests were performed to assess any relationship between gender and DMFT
variables. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the predictive value of gender and age groups for the DMFT
categories dichotomized into presence or absence of DMFT-related variable. Scatter plots and Spearman rank correlation
coefficients were used to explore the relationships between the DMFT (DT, MT, FT) and participant's age.

Results

The
mean DMFT values for the sample, 11-14, 14-17 and 17-20 year-olds were 4.94, 3.03, 5 and 6.66, respectively. Caries
prevalence (DMFT >0) and active caries prevalence (DT >0) were 88.8 and 81.8, respectively.
Prevalence of active caries (DT) did not vary significantly between genders; however, prevalence of fillings (FT) was higher
in females (OR 1.96, 95 CI, 1.45-2.67). The odds of experiencing caries (DMFT, DT, FT) increased with increase in
participant's age. Prevalence of subjects with DT>6 was higher in males than in females (OR 1.50, 95 CI, 1.04-2.01).
Prevalence of subjects with FT>3 was higher in females than in males (OR 1.74, 95 CI, 1.10-2.73). Significant
positive correlations existed between the participant's age and DMFT (rho 0.40), DT (rho 0.34) and FT scores (rho 0.194),
respectively.

Conclusion

Caries experience was highly prevalent in our sample. With increase in age, there was an
upward trend in caries prevalence and mean DMFT.

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