Self-reported oral health status of adults resident in Medway, Kent in 2009.

AIM

In order to assess the oral health status, oral behaviours and use of oral healthcare services of the adult population of Medway (Kent) in 2009, NHS Medway commissioned an assessment. Its aims were to understand oral health and impacts, behaviours and the use of dental services in order to inform future development of dental services.

METHODS

A self-reported postal questionnaire survey using relevant questions from the 1998 national Adult Dental Health Survey (ADHS) was performed. A stratified sample was drawn from all those aged 16 years and over, living in Medway and registered with a general medical practice. Stratification was into the three areas within Medway (Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham, and Rochester and Strood). Where appropriate, respondents answered the questions using a five-point Likert scale. The resulting data were analysed by area of domicile, age, gender, and deprivation.

RESULTS

Eight thousand questionnaires were sent out, of which 3101 (39%) were returned. Because of this low response and the need to weight responses to represent the distribution of the Medway population, this investigation must be considered as a service evaluation rather than a research project. Of respondents, 4% were edentate, 16% had 1-20 teeth, and 80% had 21 or more teeth. Fifty-one per cent of respondents reported at least one oral health impact; most commonly this was physical pain and psychological discomfort; least commonly, social disability and handicap. Sixteen per cent reported that their last dental visit was over 24 months ago and 31% reported that they attended only when in trouble or never (most commonly, because of anxiety and cost). There were marked variations in oral health status and use of dental services between those living in the most and least deprived areas.

CONCLUSIONS

• Medway adults were more likely than the 2009 national ADHS respondents to be dentate but less likely to have 21 or more teeth. •Oral health impacts have been substantial, especially the experience of physical pain. •Proportionately more people than the 2009 national ADHS respondents reported attending a dentist in the previous 24 months. The most common reasons for non-attendance were anxiety and cost. •These findings have implications for the future development of the Medway oral health strategy and for all those working in primary care dentistry.