Original Paper

Influence of Different Variables on the Inter-Municipality Variation in Caries Experience in Danish Adolescents
K.R. Ekstrand, M.E.C. Christiansen, V. Qvist

Department of Cariology and Endodontics, Dental Faculty of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Address of Corresponding Author

Caries Res 2003;37:130-141 (DOI: 10.1159/000069021)

  Key Words

• Caries experience
• Adolescents
• Explanatory role
• Fluoride
• Socio-economic factors
• Structural factors

  Abstract

This investigation sought to estimate the influence a number of variables had on the inter-municipality variation in caries experience across Denmark. Unit of measurement was the municipality with public clinics. Mean DMF-S and %DMF-S = 0 of 15- and 18-year-olds in 1999 were obtained from 204 and 143 municipalities, respectively, out of a total number of 206 municipalities with public clinics. The independent variables were: cost per child per year; children/dentist ratio; auxiliary personal/dentist ratio; fluoride concentration in the water supply [F]; average personal income; % of mothers of the 15- and 18-year-olds with 10 years education (EDU-15 or EDU-18); proportion of immigrants; and size of the municipality. Multiple regression analyses disclosed that [F] (p < 0.001) and EDU-15 (p < 0.001) were significant variables among the 15-year-olds explaining 45% of the variation in mean DMF-S and 31% of the variation in % DMF-S = 0. With respect to the 18-year-olds, [F] (p < 0.001) and average personal income (p < 0.001) explained 53% of the variation in mean DMF-S and 30% of the variation in %DMF-S = 0. Few municipalities were characterized as outliers with significantly lower or higher observed caries experience than expected. It is concluded that there is room for other explanatory factors - first and foremost the professional effort made in the individual Public Dental Health Service to control caries.

Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Kim Ekstrand
Department of Cariology and Endodontics
Dental Faculty of Copenhagen, Nörre Allé 20
DK-2200 N Copenhagen (Denmark)
Tel. +45 35326813, Fax +45 35326505, E-Mail kim@odont.ku.dk

  Article Information

Received: March 18, 2002
Accepted after revision: October 29, 2002
Number of Print Pages : 12
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 41