SUBSIDIZED DENTAL-CARE IMPROVES CARIES STATUS IN MALE INDUSTRIAL-WORKERS

The association between an employer-provided dental benefit scheme and dental status was studied in male industrial workers in southern Finl and in 1994. A total of 325 workers (age 38-65 yrs) with access to sub sidized dental care and 174 controls completed a multiple-choice quest ionnaire followed by clinical examinations. One or more carious teeth was registered in 19% of the subsidized group and 50% of the controls (P<0.001). For subjects with retained roots the proportions were 2% an d 15%, respectively (P<0.001). Among those with caries the mean number of carious teeth was 2.1 (SD 2.0) in the subsidized group, and 3.2 (S D 3.8) in the control group (P<0.05). The groups did not differ signif icantly in numbers of teeth or filled teeth. The probability of having one or more carious teeth was negatively associated with access to su bsidized dental care, with a recall or check-up as the reason for the last dental visit, and with having had the last dental visit within th e past two years. The results showed that the dental benefit scheme re sulted in less untreated caries.