Perceived oral health status and unmet dental needs among adults in Union County.

This study assessed the dental attitudes and perceived dental needs of adult residents of Union County. The area is a unique model of dental-health provider deficiencies in the United States--Union County is completely non-fluoridated, lacks public oral health services and does not have full-time licensed dentists within the county. Study participants included 513 adults who completed a 22-item multiple-choice survey questionnaire administered at the county's major supermarket. Among the survey participants, 48 percent rated the condition of their teeth as fair or poor. Forty-one participants reported having a dental problem in the past 12 months, and but did not see a dentist. Union County's lack of fluoridated community water, its high prevalence of cigarette smoking (29.3 percent, 11th highest among Florida's 67 counties), high levels of poverty and lack of access to dental care indicates county residents are a high risk for oral disease. A comprehensive dental public approach is needed to improve oral health in that county.