DENTAL VISIT PATTERNS IN CHILDHOOD AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH DENTAL ISSUES IN ADULTHOOD

Abstract

Aim: To examine the frequency of childhood dental visits, identify the factors influencing these patterns, and assess their correlation with adult oral health status. Methods: This study used data from the NCDS and the BCS70. Data on dental visits was obtained during home interviews, where parents answered questions about their children's dental visits in the past year. Information on adult oral health was collected, when cohort members answered two questions about mouth and/or gum problems they had experienced. Parental social class at the time of the cohort member's birth was reported by the mother, while the cohort member's own social class was self-reported. Logistic regression models were used to test the association between childhood dental visits and oral health in adulthood. Results: The data shows significant differences in mouth and gum problems based on sex, social class, and education level, with higher prevalence among females, individuals in routine social classes, those with no education, and those without childhood dental visits. Logistic regression analysis reveals that individuals with one, two, or three childhood dental visits have lower odds of persistent mouth trouble compared to those with no visits. Specifically, those with three visits show the most significant reduction in odds. The same trend is observed for mouth/gum problems in the last 12 months, with frequent childhood dental visits linked to lower odds of these issues. Conclusion: There is a link between childhood dental visit patterns and adult oral health, with regular childhood dental visits significantly reducing the likelihood of persistent and recent mouth and gum problems