Table 1 Distribution of potential determinants and dental caries experience among 35–74-year-olds (N = 946) and stratified by fluoride levels in the drinking water
Determinants | Fluoride level in the drinking water | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lower-level < 0.7 ppm | Higher-level ≥ 0.7 ppm | ||||
Socio-demographic characteristics | 748 (100 %) | 198 (100 %) | 946 (100%) | ||
Sex | Female | 490 (66) | 138 (70) | 628 (66) | |
Male | 258 (34) | 60 (30) | 318 (34) | ||
Age* | Mean (SD) Median (IQR) | 52.2 (11.8) 52 (21) | 54.8 (11.0) 56 (20) | 52.8 (11.7) 53 (40) | |
Education | Higher: 4 years or more | 102 (14) | 19 (10) | 121 (13) | |
Higher: less than 4 years | 383 (51) | 98 (49) | 481 (51) | ||
Secondary school or less | 263 (35) | 81 (41) | 344 (36) | ||
Residency | Urban | 553 (74) | 149 (75) | 702 (74) | |
| Â | Peri-urban/rural | 195 (26) | 49 (25) | 244 (26) | |
Oral health-related behaviours | |||||
Tooth brushing frequency | Twice a day or more | 368 (49) | 102 (52) | 470 (50) | |
Once a day or less | 380 (51) | 96 (48) | 476 (50) | ||
Using fluoridated toothpaste | Yes | 401 (54) | 107 (54) | 508 (54) | |
No | 113 (15) | 30 (15) | 143 (15) | ||
Don’t know | 234 (31) | 61 (31) | 295 (31) | ||
Consumption of sugar-containing foods** | Low | 196 (26) | 63 (32) | 259 (28) | |
Moderate | 323 (43) | 96 (48) | 419 (44) | ||
High | 229 (31) | 39 (20) | 268 (28) | ||
Last dental visit | 12 months ago or less | 544 (73) | 144 (73) | 688 (73) | |
More than 12 months ago | 204 (27) | 54 (27) | 258 (27) | ||
Dental caries experience | |||||
D3 MFS | Mean (SD) Median (IQR) | 59.0 (32.8) 55 (50) | 55.0 (30.6) 51 (46) | 58.1 (32.4) 54 (49) | |
D3 S | Mean (SD) Median (IQR) | 2.6 (6.2) 1 (2) | 2.1 (3.3) 1 (3) | 2.5 (5.7) 1 (3) | |
MS | Mean (SD) Median (IQR) | 27.8 (32.1) 15 (35) | 24.1 (27.2) 15 (30) | 27.0 (31.2) 15 (34) | |
FS | Mean (SD) Median (IQR) | 28.5 (19.7) 26 (28) | 28.8 (18.7) 27 (27) | 28.6 (19.5) 26 (28) | |