Social equality and dental conditions - a study of an adult population in Southern Sweden

This study aimed to: describe dental conditions - focusing on prosthodontic variables in relation to social conditions in the late 1990s in an adult p opulation of Southern Sweden, evaluate if a change could be traced in the p attern of socioeconomic influences on dental conditions, and study if vario us attitudes toward dental care were associated with social as well as dent al conditions. The study was based on questionnaire responses. Significant differences in dental conditions and denture prevalence were found for age and education. To a majority of the sample it was very important to have own teeth and/or fixed restorations and the opportunity to attend regular dental care. The c ost for dental care was very important for 52% of the sample especially for men, those with low education, and those wearing removable denture. Need f or dent:al care that could not be provided for because of the costs was exp erienced by 9%. Eighteen percent stated that they once or more had refraine d from dental care because of the cost. Those with removable dentures and l ow education dominated. Besides socioeconomic differences in dental conditions, there were socioden tal differences in attitudes concerning the importance of costs, self-estim ated needs, and cost-barriers for dental care.