Fruit and vegetable consumption among older adults by tooth loss and socio-economic status.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine consumption of fruit and vegetables in relation to tooth loss and income. METHODS: Data were collected in 2004-06, using a three-stage, stratified clustered sample, involving a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI), oral examination and mailed questionnaire followed by a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 14 123 adults responded to the CATI (49% response) of whom 5505 (44% of those interviewed) agreed to undergo an oral epidemiological examination. In the nutrition sub-study, a total of n = 1218 persons were approached in New South Wales and Queensland, with n = 1129 responding (92.7% response rate). Among respondents aged 55 years or more 34.5% had <21 teeth. Adjusting for income the prevalence of infrequent consumption ('never or less than once a month') was associated with [PR = prevalence ratio (95% CI)] fewer teeth for the fruits, 'peach, nectarine, plum, apricot' PR = 1.91 (1.12, 3.25) and 'grapes or berries' PR = 1.69 (1.03, 2.76), and for the vegetables 'stir-fried or mixed' PR = 2.34 (1.14, 4.78), 'sweetcorn' PR = 1.45 (1.001, 2.10), 'mushrooms' PR = 1.62 (1.05, 2.50), 'lettuce' PR = 3.99 (1.31, 12.17) and 'soy beans' PR = 1.11 (1.01, 1.21). CONCLUSIONS: An inadequate dentition was associated with lower consumption of a range of fruits and vegetables indicating that dentition-related impairment of chewing ability could have adverse consequences on nutritional intake among Australian adults.

Development and testing of revised practice belief scales among private general dental practitioners.

BACKGROUND: Practice beliefs have been related to service rate variation and appropriateness of care. The aim of this paper was to further develop practice belief scales by adding new items to an existing set and testing associations with dentist and practice characteristics, and services provided. METHODS: Practice belief items were recorded on a five-point Likert scale using mailed questionnaires from a random sample of dentists in 2004 (response rate = 76.8 per cent). RESULTS: Factor analysis yielded five factor-based scales, with three having adequate or near adequate internal consistency: Professional Autonomy (alpha = 0.72), Patient Focus (alpha = 0.71) and Preventive Orientation (alpha = 0.59). Responses were skewed towards strongly agree (scores 1-<2) for Professional Autonomy (60.6 per cent), Patient Focus (71.7 per cent) and Preventive Orientation (46.3 per cent). Higher percentages of dentists with strong agreement on Patient Focus were aged 30-39 and 60+ years, while lower percentages of dentists with strong agreement on Preventive Orientation were male (Chi-square, P < 0.05). Those strongly agreeing with the scales (scores 1-<2) had (Poisson regression; P < 0.05): lower rates of restorative, a rate ratio (RR) of 0.93, dentures (RR = 0.72) and extractions (RR = 0.63) for Professional Autonomy; higher rates of dentures (RR = 1.32), crowns (RR = 1.46) and extractions (RR = 1.47) for Patient Focus; and lower rates of restorative (RR = 0.88), dentures (RR = 0.78), crowns (RR = 0.72), extractions (RR = 0.50), endodontics (RR = 0.80), but a higher rate of scaling (RR = 1.13) for Preventive Orientation. CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirmed some of an earlier factor structure of practice beliefs, extended the potential practice belief domains, and demonstrated associations with service rates.