PERIODONTAL STATUS AMONG MALE INDUSTRIAL-WORKERS IN SOUTHERN FINLAND WITH OR WITHOUT ACCESS TO SUBSIDIZED DENTAL-CARE

The association between subsidized dental care and periodontal status was studied in male industrial workers in southern Finland in 1994. Cl inical examinations and a multiple-choice questionnaire were completed for 325 workers (age, 38-65 years) with access to subsidized dental c are and 174 controls without access. The CPITN scores based on full-mo uth recordings were analyzed, using both the individual and sextant as units of analysis. Overall, 6% of the subsidized group and 2% of the control group had no periodontal treatment need (p < 0.05). Deep pocke ts 26 mm were found in 5% of the subsidized workers and 1 1% of the co ntrols (p < 0.05). In the logistic regression analysts the probability of calculus was negatively associated with access to subsidized denta l care. Smoking was the strongest independent factor affecting periodo ntal status. Our findings show a positive relationship between access to subsidized dental care and periodontal status.