BACKGROUND: While inequalities in oral health are generally well documented, it is less clear whether such patterns are evident from early childhood. Using four measures of potential inequality, this study examined patterns in oral health for Australian children at ages 2-3 and 6-7 years. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from two cohorts of children in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) were used to explore associations between reported oral health and four indicators of social disadvantage: socio-economic position (SEP), residential remoteness, Indigenous status and non-English speaking background. RESULTS: For both cohorts, lower SEP and Indigenous status were associated with higher odds of poor oral health on all three indicators, and less accessible location was associated with increased odds for caries. Non-English speaking background was associated with increased odds for caries experience in 2-3 year olds and non-use of dental services in the older cohort. Inequalities were larger in the older cohort for socio-economic position and toothbrushing. CONCLUSIONS: Marked social disparities in oral health appear as early as 2 years of age and remain evident in school-age children. Interventions to reduce such disparities should start as early as possible.
BACKGROUND: While inequalities in oral health are generally well documented, it is less clear whether such patterns are evident from early childhood. Using four measures of potential inequality, this study examined patterns in oral health for Australian children at ages 2-3 and 6-7 years. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from two cohorts of children in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) were used to explore associations between reported oral health and four indicators of social disadvantage: socio-economic position (SEP), residential remoteness, Indigenous status and non-English speaking background. RESULTS: For both cohorts, lower SEP and Indigenous status were associated with higher odds of poor oral health on all three indicators, and less accessible location was associated with increased odds for caries. Non-English speaking background was associated with increased odds for caries experience in 2-3 year olds and non-use of dental services in the older cohort. Inequalities were larger in the older cohort for socio-economic position and toothbrushing. CONCLUSIONS: Marked social disparities in oral health appear as early as 2 years of age and remain evident in school-age children. Interventions to reduce such disparities should start as early as possible.
Authors: Stéphanie Baggio; Marcelo Abarca; Patrick Bodenmann; Mario Gehri; Carlos Madrid Journal: BMC Oral Health Date: 2015-07-22 Impact factor: 2.757
Authors: Deborah A Verlinden; Sijmen A Reijneveld; Caren I Lanting; Jacobus P van Wouwe; Annemarie A Schuller Journal: Eur J Oral Sci Date: 2019-02-21 Impact factor: 2.612
Authors: Lisa Gibbs; Elizabeth Waters; Andrea de Silva; Elisha Riggs; Laurence Moore; Christine Armit; Britt Johnson; Michal Morris; Hanny Calache; Mark Gussy; Dana Young; Maryanne Tadic; Bradley Christian; Iqbal Gondal; Richard Watt; Veronika Pradel; Mandy Truong; Lisa Gold Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2014-03-12 Impact factor: 2.692