Locker D, Leake J L
Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Ontario.
Can J Public Health. 1992 Mar-Apr;83(2):150-4.
We used data from telephone interviews, personal interviews and clinical examinations to assess income inequalities in oral health among older adults living in four Ontario communities. Lower income groups had significantly higher rates of edentulism than upper income groups. In dentate subjects aged 50 to 64 years, significant associations were observed between income and 9 of 10 clinical, functional and subjective oral health indicators. Among those aged 65 years and over, associations were found for only 5 of these indicators. The data suggested that the association between income and clinical and functional measures of oral health was stronger among those aged 50 to 64 years, while the association between income and subjective indicators was stronger among those aged 65 years and over. No association was noted between income and oral health status among edentulous subjects. These observations are difficult to explain because of the cross-sectional nature of the study and the complexity of the processes which may lead to social inequalities in health. Nevertheless, the data do suggest the need for the targeting of oral health promotion programs and appropriate dental services at disadvantaged groups.
我们使用电话访谈、个人访谈和临床检查的数据，评估了安大略省四个社区老年人的口腔健康收入不平等情况。低收入群体的无牙率显著高于高收入群体。在50至64岁的有牙受试者中，10项临床、功能和主观口腔健康指标中的9项与收入之间存在显著关联。在65岁及以上的人群中，仅发现其中5项指标存在关联。数据表明，收入与口腔健康临床和功能指标之间的关联在50至64岁人群中更强，而收入与主观指标之间的关联在65岁及以上人群中更强。无牙受试者的收入与口腔健康状况之间未发现关联。由于该研究的横断面性质以及可能导致健康方面社会不平等的过程的复杂性，这些观察结果难以解释。尽管如此，数据确实表明有必要针对弱势群体开展口腔健康促进项目和提供适当的牙科服务。
