Dentition status among an ethnically diverse older urban Malaysian population
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2020
Abstract
Background Poor oral health affects not only dietary choices but overall well-being. This study explores the influence of lifestyle, socio-demographics and utilization of dental services on the dentition status of an older urban Malaysian population. Methods A total of 1210 participants 60 years and above, representing the three main ethnic groups were recruited from a larger cohort study. Weighted factors valued for comparison included socio demographics and health status. Knowledge of and attitude and behaviour towards personal oral health were also assessed. Dentition status, adapted from WHO oral health guidelines, was the dependent variable investigated. Data were analysed using descriptive chi square test and multivariate binary logistic regression. Results Overall, 1187 respondents completed the study. The dentition status and oral health related knowledge, attitude and behaviour vaned between the three ethnic groups. The Chinese were significantly less likely to have >= 13 missing teeth (OR = 0.698, 95% CI: 0.521-0.937) and >= 1 decayed teeth (0.653; 0.519-0.932) compared to the Malays, while the Indians were significantly less likely than the Malays to have >= 1 decayed teeth (0.695; 0.519-0.932) and >= 2 filled teeth (0.781; 0.540-1.128). Conclusion Ethnic differences in dentition outcome are related to oral health utilization highlighting the influence of cultural differences and the need for culturally sensitivity interventions.
Keywords
Dentition status, Ethnic diversity, Older adults, Oral health outcomes
Divisions
medicinedept,Socialprevent
Funders
Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education-High Impact Research Grant UM.C/625/1/HIRMOHE/ASH/0,Universiti Malaya UMRG 545-14HTM
Publication Title
Journal of Public Health Dentistry
Volume
42
Issue
2
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Publisher Location
GREAT CLARENDON ST, OXFORD OX2 6DP, ENGLAND