Unequal smiles: consequences of untreated dental caries in citizens living in vulnerable circumstances in the Netherlands: an exploratory pilot study

Unequal smiles: consequences of untreated dental caries in citizens living in vulnerable circumstances in the Netherlands: an exploratory pilot study

The often poor oral health status of socioeconomically vulnerable adults is widely recognised. Nevertheless, research on it is scarce. To address this gap, this exploratory pilot study aimed to report on the prevalence of untreated caries and its clinical odontogenic consequences, as well as the ass...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta odontologica Scandinavica Vol. 83; no. 1; pp. 574 - 581
Main Authors: Gitz, Sterre J, Van der Heijden, Geert J M G, M C Volgenant, Catherine
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Sweden MJS Publishing on behalf of Acta Odontologica Scandinavica Society 03-10-2024
Medical Journals Sweden
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
dental caries
Dental Caries - complications
Dental Caries - epidemiology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Netherlands - epidemiology
odontogenic infection
Oral Health - statistics & numerical data
oral health-related quality of life
Pilot Projects
poverty
Prevalence
Quality of Life
Smiling
social class
Surveys and Questionnaires
Untreated dental caries
Vulnerable Populations - statistics & numerical data
Netherlands
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Summary:The often poor oral health status of socioeconomically vulnerable adults is widely recognised. Nevertheless, research on it is scarce. To address this gap, this exploratory pilot study aimed to report on the prevalence of untreated caries and its clinical odontogenic consequences, as well as the associated Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in a marginalised adult Dutch population. The Dutch department of Médecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) included socioeconomically vulnerable (low socioeconomic position [SEP]) adults in the Netherlands through community organisations. The validated Deprivation in Primary Care Questionnaire (DiPCare-Q) was translated in Dutch and used to characterise the SEP of the population. To document untreated caries and severe odontogenic consequences, the DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Permanent Teeth) and PUFA (Pulpal, Fistula, Ulceration, Abscess) index were used. The validated Dutch Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14) was used to document the impact of these issues on OHRQoL. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS® (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) statistics (Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney-U-test) and STATA software. Data from 59 adult participants were analysed. The prevalence of untreated caries (DT ≥ 1) was 65.5%, 57.9% of which experienced severe odontogenic consequences (DT+PUFA). The prevalence of severe odontogenic consequences (PUFA ≥ 1) was 45.5%. The mean OHIP-14 score of 17.7 ± 13.4 (25th-75th percentile: 6-26) illustrated that untreated caries may have impact on OHRQoL. Individuals who experienced any severe odontogenic consequences from untreated caries reported significantly higher OHIP-14 scores (mean ± s.d.: 21.8 ± 14.8 vs.11.1 ± 7.2). The untreated caries and severe odontogenic consequences seen in a large number of the socioeconomically vulnerable adult participants seemed to have an impact on OHRQoL. These findings emphasise the urgency of including these adults in the professional oral health system for treatment and prevention, and may emphasise the necessity of improving the socioeconomic circumstances of this population. Further exploration of the exact barriers and facilitators to oral healthcare access for socioeconomically vulnerable adults is necessary.
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Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.2340/aos.v83.42028
ISSN:0001-6357
1502-3850
1502-3850
DOI:10.2340/aos.v83.42028