An oral health survey in Southern China, 1997: Background and methodology

Relatively limited information is available about the oral health in the Gu angdong Province of Southern China, the closest neighbor to Hong Kong. The study intended to explore the oral health status, knowledge, attitudes, and dental care utilization in the Guangdong population as a basis for formula ting strategies for oral health prevention and treatment. Through multi-sta ge stratified and quota-sampling, individuals from urban as well as rural c ommunities were selected (5- to 6-; 12-; 35- to 44-; and 65- to 74-year-old s; total N=6251). Structured interviews and clinical examinations were perf ormed. Inter-examiner reliability was high (kappa =0.60-0.96). Samples of c ommunity water were taken for fluoride assessment. Overall, the sample surv eyed was acceptably representative of the population, with some under-repre sentation of rural residents and agricultural workers. Re-weighting was per formed in appropriate analyses. The data analysis model used in the Second International Collaborative Study was used as a guide for the present data analysis. This approach has not previously been used on a Mainland Chinese population.