Sense of coherence and four-year caries incidence in Finnish adults

TY - JOUR

T1 - Sense of coherence and four-year caries incidence in Finnish adults

AU - Bernabé, E

AU - Newton, J T

AU - Uutela, A

AU - Aromaa, A

AU - Suominen, A L

PY - 2012/12

Y1 - 2012/12

N2 - This study assesses whether sense of coherence (SOC) predicts incidence of tooth decay over 4 years and the role of dental behaviours in explaining the effect of SOC on incidence of tooth decay. Data from 994 adults who participated in both the Health 2000 survey and the Follow-Up Study of Finnish Adults' Oral Health were analysed for this study. At baseline, participants provided information on demographic characteristics, education level, the SOC scale and dental behaviours (tooth brushing frequency, dental attendance and sugar intake frequency). The 4-year incidence of tooth decay was calculated using data from baseline and follow-up clinical oral examinations. Baseline SOC was significantly related to 4-year incidence of tooth decay after adjustment for demographic factors and education (relative risk: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63-0.98). This effect was fully attenuated after further adjustment for the three dental behaviours. Tooth brushing frequency and dental attendance were the only dental behaviours significantly related to incidence of tooth decay. This prospective study suggests that SOC predicts incidence of tooth decay and that dental behaviours may help explaining why adults with strong SOC have lower risk of developing tooth decay than those with weak SOC.

AB - This study assesses whether sense of coherence (SOC) predicts incidence of tooth decay over 4 years and the role of dental behaviours in explaining the effect of SOC on incidence of tooth decay. Data from 994 adults who participated in both the Health 2000 survey and the Follow-Up Study of Finnish Adults' Oral Health were analysed for this study. At baseline, participants provided information on demographic characteristics, education level, the SOC scale and dental behaviours (tooth brushing frequency, dental attendance and sugar intake frequency). The 4-year incidence of tooth decay was calculated using data from baseline and follow-up clinical oral examinations. Baseline SOC was significantly related to 4-year incidence of tooth decay after adjustment for demographic factors and education (relative risk: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63-0.98). This effect was fully attenuated after further adjustment for the three dental behaviours. Tooth brushing frequency and dental attendance were the only dental behaviours significantly related to incidence of tooth decay. This prospective study suggests that SOC predicts incidence of tooth decay and that dental behaviours may help explaining why adults with strong SOC have lower risk of developing tooth decay than those with weak SOC.

KW - Regression Analysis

KW - Questionnaires

KW - Finland

KW - Humans

KW - Aged

KW - Dental Caries

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Prospective Studies

KW - Aged, 80 and over

KW - Toothbrushing

KW - Adult

KW - Sense of Coherence

KW - Health Behavior

KW - Incidence

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Follow-Up Studies

KW - Diet

KW - Female

KW - Male

U2 - 10.1159/000341219

DO - 10.1159/000341219

M3 - Article

C2 - 22889725

SN - 1421-976X

VL - 46

SP - 523

EP - 529

JO - Caries research

JF - Caries research

IS - 6

ER -