In children and adolescents with temporomandibular disorder assembled with juvenile idiopathic arthritis - no association were found between pain and TMJ deformities using CBCT.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may suffer from temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Due to this, imaging diagnosis is crucial in JIA with non-symptomatic TM joint (TMJ) involvement. The aim of the study was to examine the association between clinical TMD signs/symptoms and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) findings of TMJ structural deformities in children and adolescents with JIA. METHODS: This cross-sectional study is part of a longitudinal prospective multi-centre study performed from 2015-2020, including 228 children and adolescents aged 4-16 years diagnosed with JIA, according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR). For this sub-study, we included the Bergen cohort of 72 patients (32 female, median age 13.1 years, median duration of JIA 4.5 years). Clinical TMD signs/symptoms were registered as pain on palpation, pain on jaw movement, and combined pain of those two. The severity of TMJ deformity was classified as sound (no deformity), mild, or moderate/severe according to the radiographic findings of CBCT. RESULTS: Of 72 patients, 21 (29.2%) had pain on palpation at and around the lateral pole, while 41 (56.9%) had TMJ pain upon jaw movement and 26 (36.1%) had pain from both. Of 141 TMJs, 18.4% had mild and 14.2% had moderate/severe structural deformities visible on CBCT. CBCT findings were not significantly associated with either the pain on palpation or the pain on jaw movement. A significant difference was found between structural deformities in CBCT and the combined pain outcome (pain at both palpation and movement) for both TMJs for the persistent oligoarticular subtype (p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between painful TMD and CBCT imaging features of the TMJ in patients with JIA, but the oligoarticular subtype of JIA, there was a significant difference associated with TMJ pain and structural CBCT deformities.

The reliability and validity of the Romanian rapid estimate of adult literacy in dentistry (RREALD-30).

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to translate and adapt the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (RREALD-30) instrument for Romanian urban adults and to test its reliability and validity for oral health literacy studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study examined urban adult patients (n = 224) who attended the dental school clinic at the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Bucharest. We collected data through face-to-face interviews utilising the REALD-30 instrument. The interviews enquired about the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), background characteristics, oral health-related knowledge, visits to dentists and self-rated oral health status. We applied principal component analysis for factor structure and Item Response Theory models to discriminate ability. A structural equation model (SEM) evaluated whether knowledge, perceived oral health, and visits to the dentist mediate the effect of RREALD on OHIP-14. RESULTS: Of the 224 participants, 113 (50.4%) were males. The internal consistency of the RREALD-30 measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.88. The test-retest reliability was excellent (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.98, ICC 0.90). RREALD-30 exhibited good concurrent and predictive validity. SEM demonstrated that RREALD mediated the effect of visits to dentist on OHIP-14. CONCLUSION: The RREALD-30 proved satisfactory psychometric properties and may serve to evaluate dental health literacy among Romanian adults.

Oral health among children with congenital heart defects in Western Norway.

AIM: This was to describe oral health in children with congenital heart defects (CHD), to evaluate association of different background variables with oral health, and to compare caries prevalence at dentine level with caries data in the general population. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 5-year-old children in Western Norway with a need for lifelong follow-up due to CHD were invited to participate (n = 100). Children born in 2005, 2006, and 2007 underwent a comprehensive oral health examination during the period 2010-2012. Caries prevalence at the dentine level was compared with data available for 5-year-old children from the general population of Western Norway (n = 18,974). RESULTS: The response rate was 67 %. Caries prevalence in children with CHD at d1-5mft was 37.3 % and at d3-5mft 25.4 %. Few children (n = 4) had experienced fillings, indicating an unmet need for operative treatment. Enamel lesions (d1-2s) exceeded dentine lesions (d3-5s) in the study group, 60 % versus 40 %, indicating a significant need of non-operative treatment. At dentine level, caries prevalence in children with CHD was significantly higher than in children in the general population (25.4 versus 18.3 %). Erosion was more prevalent than caries (50.7 versus 37.3 %). In total, 37.3 % of all children had d3-5mfs caries, erosion (grades 3 or 4), developmental defects of enamel (DDE) with post-eruptive breakdown of enamel and exposure into dentine, or combinations of the diagnoses. Investigated background factors did not significantly affect caries, erosion, or DDE. CONCLUSION: More than a third of the children with CHD were found to have an oral health status that may imply risk for systemic hazardous effects.

Prevalence of temporomandibular disorder pain in Chinese adolescents compared to an age-matched Swedish population.

This study aimed to (i) assess the prevalence and perceived need for treatment of TMD pain, and its association with socio-economic factors and gender, in adolescents in Xiá¾½an, Shaanxi Province, China, and (ii) compare the prevalence and association with gender of TMD pain in Xiá¾½an to an age-matched Swedish population. We surveyed Chinese adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in Xi'an, China (n = 5524), using a questionnaire with two-stage stratified sampling and the school as the sampling unit. The study included second-year students at selected high schools. It also included an age-matched Swedish population (n = 17,015) surveyed using the same diagnostic criteria for TMD pain as that used in the Chinese sample. The survey found TMD pain in 14·8% (n = 817) of the Chinese sample and 5·1% (n = 871) of the Swedish sample (P < 0·0001). Girls had significantly more TMD pain than boys in both the Chinese (P < 0·05) and Swedish (P < 0·001) samples. TMD pain increased with age in the Chinese population. Of the Chinese adolescents with TMD pain, 47% reported that they felt a need for treatment. Rural schools, low paternal education levels, poverty, living outside the home, poor general and oral health, and dissatisfaction with teeth all showed significant positive correlations with TMD pain. Prevalence of TMD pain in Chinese adolescents was significantly higher than in the Swedish sample.

Long-term healthy lifestyle patterns and tooth loss studied in a Swedish cohort of middle-aged and older people.

UNLABELLED: The promotion of a healthy lifestyle has become an issue of public health importance in the context of ageing populations and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE: (i) To estimate changes in use of fluoridated tooth paste, use of tooth picks, smoking and alcohol consumption and (ii) to examine whether experience with incident or prevalent tooth loss predict healthy lifestyle transitions from age 50 to 70. METHOD: In 1992, 6346 individuals born in 1942 agreed to participate in a prospective cohort study and 3585 completed follow-up questionnaires in 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012. Statistical analyses were conducted by chi-square statistics, Cochran's Q and logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 15.7% and 74.0% reported incident (tooth loss only in 2012) and prevalent tooth loss (tooth loss in 1992 and 2012). Significant differences occurred between the 1992 and 2012 prevalence of using toothpicks (from 48.3% to 69.1%), smoking (from 26.9% to 10.1%) and alcohol consumption (from 41.5% to 50.5%), 29% and 15.6% increased use of toothpicks and alcohol consumption, whereas 15.5% stopped daily smoking. Increased use of fluoridated tooth paste, smoking cessation and failure to increase use of toothpicks was associated with prevalent tooth loss between age 50 and 70. CONCLUSION: This study revealed positive and negative trends in oral health behaviours over a 20-year period in persons aged 50 at baseline. Mixed support was obtained for the assumption that oral health promoting lifestyle transitions follow experience with tooth loss. Older people with tooth loss experience could benefit from targeted counselling aimed at coping with oral diseases.

Socio-behavioural predictors of young adults' self-reported oral health: 15 years of follow-up in the The Norwegian Longitudinal Health Behaviour study.

OBJECTIVES: Few prospective studies have investigated the impacts of socio-behavioural position throughout adolescence on self-reported oral health in young adulthood. This study aimed to describe the development of oral health behaviours between age 15 years (1992) and age 30 years (2007) and to assess how changes in or stability of socio-behavioural characteristics during that period influences the oral impacts on daily performance (OIDP) and satisfaction with teeth assessed at age 30. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were included as part of a prospective cohort study. In 1992, a representative sample of 963 15-year-old adolescents participated in the study; 627 (64%) and 532 (55.2%) remained in the study at ages 23 and 30, respectively. A total of 394 (40.9% of baseline sample) participated at ages 15, 23 and 30. RESULTS: Cochrane's Q revealed that the proportions of individuals who were frequent performers regarding flossing, intake of nonsugared mineral water and use of snuff increased whereas the proportions who were frequent performers regarding consumption of sugared mineral water decreased in subjects with low and high parental education and in both sexes across the survey period. Smokers increased in males and decreased in females and in subjects with low parental education. Spearman's rank-order correlation ranged from 0.19 (nonsugared mineral water) to 0.36 (smoking). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that participants with a stable advantaged socio-behavioural position were less likely to report OIDP at age 30. Participants with a stable disadvantaged socio-behavioural position were more likely to report OIDP at age 30. Participants who were stable satisfied with their health and who changed educational status were more likely to be satisfied with their teeth at age 30. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health behaviours tracked moderately from age 15 to 30. Continuity of an advantaged or disadvantaged socio-behavioural position across the survey years contributed to differing levels of oral health. Early and contemporary public health policies that target disadvantaged socio-behavioural groups may help prevent poor oral health perceptions in young adults in Norway.

Factorial structure and cross-cultural invariance of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances.

The issue of cross-cultural construct validation and measurement invariance of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) questionnaire is important. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), this study evaluated a proposed three-factor structure of the OIDP questionnaire in Tanzanian adolescents and adults and assessed whether this model would be replicated in Ugandan adolescents. Between 2004 and 2007, OIDP data were collected from 1,601 Tanzanian adolescents, 1,031 Tanzanian adults, and 1,146 Ugandan adolescents. Model generation analysis was restricted to Tanzanian adolescents, and the model achieved was tested, without modification, in Tanzanian adults and in Ugandan adolescents. A modified three-factor solution with cross-loadings improved the fit of the OIDP model to the data compared with a one-factor model and the original three-factor model within the Tanzanian [comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.99] and Ugandan (CFI = 0.98) samples. Cross-validation in Tanzanian adults provided a reasonable fit (CFI = 0.98). Multiple-group CFA demonstrated acceptable fit [chi(2) = 140.829, degrees of freedom (d.f.) = 24, CFI = 0.98] for the unconstrained model, whereas unconstrained and constrained models were statistically significantly different. Factorial validity was confirmed for the three-factor OIDP model. The results provide evidence for cross-cultural equivalence of the OIDP, suggesting that this measure is comparable, at least to some extent, across Tanzanian and Ugandan adolescents.

Applicability of the theory of planned behavior to intended and self-reported condom use in a rural Ethiopian population.

This study aimed to assess the applicability of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in predicting intended and self-reported condom use and to examine the effect of previous condom use (PCE) among young adults in rural Ethiopia. A TPB interview was completed by 802 adults (mean age 20.7 years, 74.7% women) and 743 adults (mean age 20.7 years, 76.4% women) reported use of condom at three-months follow-up. The TPB and PCE explained 36% and 2.2% of the variance in intended condom use. Subjective norms discriminated strongly between individuals with and without PCE. The TPB and PCE accounted for 5.3% and 8.5% of the variance in reported condom use. This study concludes that the TPB provided a fairly accurate description of the process underlying intention but was less sufficient to account for self-reported condom use. Ethiopian youth decided on condom use if they anticipated predominantly positive consequences associated with performance and social support, whereas perceived barriers seemed to have less impact. Once they had started to use condoms, they were more likely to continue to do so in the future.

Assessment of the reliability and validity of the Dental Neglect Scale in Norwegian adults.

AIMS: To evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the Dental Neglect Scale (DNS) and to estimate the level of dental neglect in the adult Norwegian population. METHODS: A questionnaire containing socio-demographics, oral health attitude variables, self-reported service use and a translated version of the original DNS was tested in two samples: 1) a convenience sample of University employees (n=263) and 2) a proportionate random sample (n=2000) drawn from the national population register (age 16-79 years). The reliability assessment of the instrument was by internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and factor analysis (principal component) (n=1309). The test-retest comparisons (n=108) were analyzed by Spearman's rho for the sum-scores, and kappa statistics for single items. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the construct validity of the DNS. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the overall construct of DNS was 0.67 (n=173) and 0.57 (n=1301). Only one factor was extracted, explaining a total of 36% of the scale variance (n=1301). Cohen's kappa for the test-retest comparisons ranged from 0.21-0.79 (n=108), and Spearman's rho for the test-retest sum-scores was 0.60. Higher neglect scores were positively related to a negative opinion about own dental health (OR=3.3), last dental appointment because of pain or other problems (OR=2.3), less than 20 teeth (OR=2.2), drinking soft drinks with sugar every day (OR=2.1), non-regular dental service use (OR=2.2) and using floss or toothpicks seldom or never (OR=1.6). The prevalence of high dental neglect was 20%. CONCLUSIONS: The analyses indicated construct validity for the Dental Neglect Scale but low reliability for some of its items. One fifth of this representative sample of Norwegian adults reported a high level of dental neglect.

Sugar snack consumption in Ugandan schoolchildren: Validity and reliability of a food frequency questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the reproducibility and relative validity of an eight-item self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) on intake of sugared snacks in Ugandan schoolchildren. A 5-day precoded food behaviour checklist (FBC) was used as validation criteria. Sociodemographic correlates of a sum frequency sugar score were explored. METHODS: The study was conducted in Kampala, Uganda, in 2004. Six hundred and fourteen schoolchildren (mean age 12.4 years) completed the FFQ on cakes/biscuits, chocolate, ice sticks, soft drinks, coffee, tea, sugared desserts and sweets/candies at school. They were examined clinically for dental caries. Forty students completed the FFQ twice, 1 week apart and 325 students completed the 5 day FBC at school. RESULTS: The mean decayed, missing and filled tooth index score was 0.98 (SD 1.6, range 0-15). Reproducibility scores (Cohen's kappa) for the sugar items ranged from 0.17 (ice sticks) to 0.55 (biscuits). No differences were seen between the average intakes at test and retest. Higher intake was reported in FFQ than in FBC across all sugar items. Crude agreement between students reporting intake at least 3-5 times a week/less than three times a week ranged from 50% to 55% (e.g. biscuits, chocolate) to 87% (tea). Spearman's correlation coefficients ranged from 0.14 (desserts) to 0.27 (sweets). anova revealed significant increase (P = 0.001) in the mean FBC sum scores by increasing quartiles of the FFQ sum scores. The average sum FFQ sugar scores were higher in girls than in boys and higher in older than in younger students. CONCLUSION: Fair reproducibility was established for the FFQ sugar items. The FFQ was acceptable in classifying individuals into broad categories of low and high sugar consumption.

Psychometric properties and the prevalence, intensity and causes of oral impacts on daily performance (OIDP) in a population of older Tanzanians.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to study whether a Kiswahili version of the OIDP (Oral Impacts on Daily Performance) inventory was valid and reliable for use in a population of older adults in urban and rural areas of Tanzania; and to assess the area specific prevalence, intensity and perceived causes of OIDP. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Pwani region and in Dar es Salaam in 2004/2005. A two-stage stratified cluster sample design was utilized. Information became available for 511 urban and 520 rural subjects (mean age 62.9 years) who were interviewed and participated in a full mouth clinical examination in their own homes. RESULTS: The Kiswahili version of the weighted OIDP inventory preserved the overall concept of the original English version. Cronbach's alpha was 0.83 and 0.90 in urban and rural areas, respectively, and the OIDP inventory varied systematically in the expected direction with self-reported oral health measures. The respective prevalence of oral impacts was 51.2% and 62.1% in urban and rural areas. Problems with eating was the performance reported most frequently (42.5% in urban, 55.1% in rural) followed by cleaning teeth (18.2% in urban, 30.6% in rural). More than half of the urban and rural residents with impacts had very little, little and moderate impact intensity. The most frequently reported causes of impacts were toothache and loose teeth. CONCLUSION: The Kiswahili OIDP inventory had acceptable psychometric properties among non-institutionalized adults 50 years and above in Tanzania. The impacts affecting their performances were relatively common but not very severe.

Predicting intended use of voluntary HIV counselling and testing services among Tanzanian teachers using the theory of planned behaviour.

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) provides a conceptual model for understanding individual cognitions that influence behavioural intentions and enactment of the actual behaviours. This study examined the applicability of the TPB and the additional predictive role of perceived risk in predicting intended use of voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT) services. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey among 918 primary school teachers in the Mwanza region, Tanzania between September 2003 and November 2003. Analysis was based on 737 teachers (mean age 38.9) who had never tested for HIV. Results of the hierarchical regression analysis indicate that perceived behavioural control and attitude toward using VCT services were significant predictors of intention to use VCT services in the TPB model. Perceived behavioural control added 12% of variance to intention over and above attitudes and subjective norms, while perceived risk added 3% of variance. Socio-economic status did not moderate the predictive value of the TPB components. The present study demonstrates that the TPB is a useful conceptual framework for predicting intended use of HIV counselling and testing services among Tanzanian teachers. A theory-based VCT intervention programme among Tanzanian teachers should mainly focus on reducing social and psychological barriers related to the use of VCT services.

Oral Impacts on Daily Performance in Norwegian adults: the influence of age, number of missing teeth, and socio-demographic factors.

This study investigates the relationships among socio-demographic factors, dental status, and impaired oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) using a translation into Norwegian of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) inventory. Data were collected as part of the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) OMNIBUS survey in Norway. The CBS drew a two-stage proportionate random sample, comprising 2,000 residents aged 16-79 yr, from the national population register. Information was available for 1,309 individuals (response rate 66.0%) who completed telephone interviews in November and December 2003. A total of 18.3% (95% confidence interval: 16.2-20.4) reported that an oral problem had affected at least one daily oral performance during the 6 months preceding the survey. The proportion of adults who confirmed impacts varied from 11.3% (eating) to 2.1% (social contact). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant disparities regarding respondents' age, residential area, dental attendance, and number of remaining teeth. The prevalence of OIDP in the Norwegian population was modest, but varied systematically with both socio-demographic and oral health-related factors. The consistently declining OIDP with increasing age after controlling for dental status suggests age-related changes of participants' values and expectations.

Sociodemographic and behavioural correlates of severe dental fluorosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic and behavioural factors associated with the prevalence of severe dental fluorosis in moderate- and high-fluoride areas of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. METHODS: Three hundred and six adolescents (12-15 years) and 233 mothers participated in the study. The children were examined for dental fluorosis according to the Thylstrup-Fejerskov Index (TFI). The children and their mothers were subsequently interviewed. Sixty mothers had more than one participating child. In order to perform a paired parent/child analysis, a total of 73 younger siblings had to be excluded. RESULTS: Among the remaining 233 children, the prevalence of severe dental fluorosis (TFI >or= 5) was 24.1% and 75.9% in the moderate- and high-fluoride areas, respectively. According to bivariate as well as multivariate analyses, a number of sociodemographic and behavioural factors were related to severe fluorosis. The odds for having severe fluorosis varied according to the fluoride concentration of the drinking water, age, consumption of tea, length of breastfeeding and method of storing water. The adjusted odds ratios ranged from 2.6 to 26.1. Breastfeeding for > 18 months and the use of clay pots for storing drinking water helped protect against severe dental fluorosis. Bivariate analyses indicated that being male and consuming fish might be associated with higher TFI scores. CONCLUSION: In order to avoid dental fluorosis, low-fluoride drinking water should be provided in the relevant villages. A prolonged period of breastfeeding, the use of clay pots for storing water, and possibly a reduced intake of tea and whole fish in infants might also help to avoid severe fluorosis in children growing up in traditionally fluoride-endemic areas.

Examining intention to control preschool children's sugar snacking: a study of carers in Uganda.

AIM: The aims of this study were to investigate parents' intention to control their children's sugar consumption and whether that behaviour is reported to occur in 3-5-year-old preschool children according to sociodemographics and attitudinal factors derived from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). DESIGN: Some 589 children aged 3-5 years (51% boys, response rate = 85%) attending nursery schools in Kampala Central (urban) and Nakawa (suburban), Uganda, were examined clinically for dental caries. A questionnaire to assess sociodemographic factors, sugar intake and the constructs of the TPB was completed by their parents'/caregivers in face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: Analyses of variance revealed more positive attitudes and stronger intention to control children's intake of sugared snacks in highly as compared to less highly educated parents. Independent of educational level, parents having children with caries perceived themselves to have less control over their child's intake of sugared snacks and perceived them to be more susceptible to tooth decay compared to parents of children without caries. In multiple linear regression, the TPB provided a significant prediction of intention with attitude (b = 0.16, P < 0.001), subjective norms (b = 0.18, P < 0.001) and perceived barriers (b = 0.11, P = 0.01), significant and reported sugar intake with attitudes (b = -0.10, P = 0.02), and perceived susceptibility (b = 16, P < 0.001) all significant. CONCLUSION: The TPB components predict parental intention to control sugar snacking and whether that behaviour occurs in preschool children. The strengths of parents' attitudes and reported level of child sugar snacking varied between diverse socioeconomic family groups. Implications for oral health education are discussed.

Dental fluorosis in primary teeth: a study in rural schoolchildren in Shaanxi Province, China.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of fluorosis in the primary dentition of 7-8-year-old Chinese schoolchildren in areas with fluoride concentrations in the drinking water ranging from 0.35 to 7.6 mg L-). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four hundred and seventy-two children from 13 different schools were divided into four groups according to the fluoride concentration of the drinking water: (A)

Dental caries and associated factors in 12-year-old schoolchildren in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study were to describe the dental health status of 12-year-old schoolchildren in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, and to identify sociodemographic factors, oral health behaviours, attitudes and knowledge related to dental caries experience. METHODS: The study took the form of a cross-sectional survey of 838 children in upper primary schools. A two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. Dental caries was measured using World Health Organization criteria. Sociodemographic factors, oral health behaviours, attitudes and knowledge were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries in the permanent dentition was 27%. The mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth was 0.5 (SD=0.9). The decayed component (D) constituted 91% of the total number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that children had a higher risk of having dental caries if they lived in urban area [OR=1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1-2.1], had visited a dentist (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.2-2.2), did not use a toothbrush (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.2-2.9), consumed sweets (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.0-1.9) or performed poorly in school (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.0-2.3). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of caries in this sample of 12-year-old schoolchildren was low compared to that in other developing countries. The present study indicated that urban living conditions were associated with more dental caries. Since urbanization is rapid in India, oral health promotion at the present time would be valuable to prevent increased caries prevalence.

Oral Impacts on Daily Performance in Norwegian adults: validity, reliability and prevalence estimates.

The Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) instrument was translated into Norwegian and reviewed for cultural and conceptual equivalence by a group of bilingual academics. A sample of employees from the University of Bergen completed the Norwegian OIDP frequency questionnaire twice. A total of 173 and 108 subjects participated in the first and the second administration, respectively, of this questionnaire. A two-stage proportionate random sample, comprising 2,000 residents (age-range 16-79 yr), was drawn from the national population register by the Central Bureau of Statistics. Information became available for 1,309 persons who completed telephone interviews. The Norwegian OIDP preserved the overall concept of the English version. Test-retest reliability, in terms of Cohen's kappa, was 0.65, and Cronbach's alpha was high (> or = 0.80). In both samples, variations in the OIDP scores were apparent in relation to self-reported oral health and number of remaining teeth, supporting construct and criterion validity of the inventory. Only three of the OIDP interviews were discarded, which supports face validity. A total of 18.3% confirmed that they had at least one oral impact. Age-specific rates were 17.5%, 19.0%, 17.9% and 18.4% among 16-24, 24-44, 45-66 and 67-79-yr-old participants. The satisfactory psychometric properties provide evidence for the cross-cultural use of the OIDP. The presence of a distinct floor effect indicates poor sensitivity of the OIDP to detect improvements of oral health-related quality of life at a population level. Prevalence estimates were low, suggesting that the current oral health status has little impact on the daily performance of the Norwegian adult population.

Effect of recall on estimation of non-fatal injury rates: a community based study in Tanzania.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of recall on estimation of non-fatal injury rates in Tanzania. DESIGN: Retrospective population based survey. SETTING: Eight branches in an urban area and six villages in a relatively prosperous rural area in Tanzania. SUBJECTS: Individuals of all ages living in households selected by cluster sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Estimated non-fatal injury rates calculated at each of the 12 recall periods (one to 12 months before the interview). RESULTS: Out of a population of 15 223 persons, 509 individuals reported 516 injuries during the preceding year. Of these 313 (61.5%) were males and 196 (38.5%) females. The data showed notable declining incidence rates from 72 per 1000 person-years when based on a one month recall period to 32.7 per 1000 person-years for a 12 month recall period (55% decline). The decline was found for injuries resulting in fewer than 30 days of disability whereas rates for severe injuries (disability of 30 days or more) did not show a consistent variation with recall period. Decline in injury rates by recall period was higher in rural than in urban areas. Age, sex, and education did not notably affect recall. CONCLUSIONS: Longer recall periods underestimate injury rates compared with shorter recall periods. For severe injuries, a recall period of up to 12 months does not affect the rate estimates. It is essential that a recall period of less than three months be used to calculate injury rates for less severe injuries.

Social inequalities in oral health and in use of oral health care services among adolescents in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe clinical and self-perceived indicators of oral health status and the use of oral health care services by social and demographic characteristics. METHODS: In 2001, a cross-sectional random sample survey was conducted in urban and rural settings in Uganda (Kampala and Lira, respectively), and 1146 secondary school students with a mean age of 15.8 years completed questionnaires in school. Dental caries was recorded by one examiner on a random subsample of 372 students. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses revealed that being an urban resident was associated with higher odds for having dental caries (dmft > 0), seeking care because of toothache (delayed treatment demand) and being dissatisfied with one's own oral health status [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.5-2.1]. Being an urban resident was associated with lower odds for oral health care attendance generally and for having missing teeth in particular (adjusted OR = 0.6-0.4). Students who had parents with a higher education and those with weak social ties were, respectively, less and more likely to be dissatisfied with their oral health status. As compared to caries-free participants, the odds for being dissatisfied with oral health and delayed treatment demand increased significantly with an increasing dmft score (adjusted OR = 2.1-3.2). CONCLUSION: Urban students were most likely to have a dmft > 0 and to rate their oral health status negatively. Having received dental care and the prevalence of missing teeth, and delayed treatment demand were, respectively, most and least prevalent among rural students. Dental caries at different diagnostic cut-off points and weak social ties affected self-reported oral health negatively, independently of social and demographic characteristics.