PROGNOSIS OF AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DENTAL STATUS IN THE ADULT SWEDISH POPULATION, 1975-1989

The aim was to describe changes in dental status in the Swedish popula tion during the period 1975-89 and to make a prognosis based on these data for the year 2000. This study is based on investigations of the l iving conditions in 1975, 1977, 1980/81 and 1988/89 performed by The N ational Central Bureau of Statistics. The samples varied for each year from 11 500 to 15 000 participants and a response rate from 80 to 86% . The odontological questions of the interview wen focused on dental s tatus, utilization of dental services and chewing ability. The prevale nce of edentulism in age group 16-74 yr decreased from 15% in 1975 to 6% in 1988/89. In 1988/89 19% of the 65-74-yr-old inhabitants of the b ig cities were edentulous and 45% in rural populations, indicating a 1 5-20-yr delay of the development in rural areas. The prognosis for the year 2000 indicates a further decrease of edentulism to 3-4% in age g roups 45-64 yr and in age 75-84 yr more than 60% will be dentate. As a consequence of the reduction in edentulism and changes in populations the number of dentate inhabitants in age group 25-74 yr increased by about 800 000 from 1975 to 1989 and a further increase of 400 000 will occur up to the year 2000. The consequences of these changes for the dental care services are discussed.