Number of remaining teeth and its association with educational level in Chilean adults: data from the National Health Survey 2016-2017
Abstract Background: Several population studies have addressed oral health inequity-related issues. Edentulism, functional dentition and number of remaining teeth have been linked to different socioeconomic level measurements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between educational level (EL) and tooth loss in the Chilean population aged 15 years old and above, based on the recent data collected from the 2016-2017 National Health Survey (ENS 2016-2017). Methods: The sample for this cross-sectional study comprised 5473 subjects. The main independent variable in the study was educational level (LEL: low, MEL: medium, HEL: high). In order to measure tooth loss number of remaining teeth, edentulism and functional dentition were considered. Based on a multivariate logistic regression, it was possible to obtain odds ratios (OR) and, therefore, to assessing the condition of dentition according to the subject’s EL. As to the number of teeth variable, multiple linear regressions were conducted. The analyses were carried out in the SPSS 24.0 program considering the complex sampling design of ENS 2016-2017. Results: When comparing LEL subjects with HEL subjects, the adjusted difference in the number of remaining teeth was 3.11 for maxilla and 1.72 for mandible. An individual with a LEL had a 7.51 [3.50-16.10] and 6.06 [2.68-13.68] times higher risk of upper edentulism and lower edentulism than a HEL individual respectively. Regarding functional dentition, the adjusted OR in HEL subjects was 13.33 [8.02-22.15] and in MEL subjects was 2.81 [2.03-3.87], compared to LEL results. Conclusions: LEL was associated with a significant tooth loss in the Chilean population. Regardless of age, subjects with a LEL obtained a lower mean of number of remaining teeth, higher prevalence of edentulism and lower prevalence of functional dentition.