Tooth Loss Occurring at a Place Other than a Health-care Facility: 72-month Incidence

G. H. Gilbert, R. P. Duncan, J. S. Rose, B. J. Shelton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dental care can occur within or outside the formal health-care system. We hypothesized that certain subject characteristics would partly explain one type of dental self-care, non-professional extractions. A representative sample of diverse groups of dentate adults was studied. In-person interviews and clinical examinations were conducted at baseline, 24, 48, and 72 months, with semi-annual telephone interviews in between. Of 699 participants, 291 (42%) reported loss of at least one tooth, of whom 42 (14% of those with tooth loss) reported having lost the tooth at a place other than a health-care facility. Ninety-four percent of non-professionally lost teeth were self-extracted; relatives extracted the remainder. Fifty-eight percent of these teeth were deliberately removed; the remainder came out while subjects were eating or brushing their teeth, or due to injury. Attachment loss and mobility at previous examination were consistent with the occurrence of non-professional extraction. The incidence magnitude was substantive and persistent throughout follow-up.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)860-865
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Dental Research
Volume81
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2002

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2002, International and American Associations for Dental Research.

Keywords

  • incidence
  • longitudinal studies
  • self-care
  • tooth loss

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Dentistry

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