Self-rated oral health among Brazilian adults and older adults in Southeast Brazil: results from the SB-Brasil Project, 2003

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine which characteristics (predisposing and enabling, oral health, perceived need for dental treatment, and behavior) are independently associated with self-rated oral health among adults and older adults in Southeast Brazil. The study was based on 3,240 participants in the SB-Brasil Project/ Southeast. The characteristics of those who rated their oral health as good/very good were compared to those who rated it as fair, poor, or very poor. The following characteristics were significantly and independently associated with better self-rated oral health among adults: monthly household income > US$ 60.00, no current perceived need for dental treatment, place of residence in cities with > 50,000 inhabitants, and visit to the dentist > 3 years previously. Among older adults the factors were: monthly household income > US$ 60.00, no current perceived need for dental treatment, and 1-19 permanent teeth. Our results confirm those observed in other countries, showing associations between self-rated oral health and predisposing and enabling factors, oral health, perceived need for dental treatment, and behavior.

Oral Health; Adult; Aged