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Abstract
Objective. The aim of the present study was to identify non-biological determinants associated with the number of sound teeth (ST) and presence of decayed surfaces (DS) among 35-year-old Oslo citizens. Material and methods. Randomly selected participants (n=149, response rate 64%) completed a self-administered questionnaire and were examined clinically and radiographically. Dental caries was registered clinically following World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria for caries registration, and the findings were combined with radiographic caries recordings. The number of sound teeth and the presence of two or more dentine caries lesions (D3S≥2) were selected as dependent variables. Associations between selected dependent variables and possible determinants were assessed by linear and logistic regression analyses, taking into account the hierarchical relationships between the independent variables. Results. On average, 35-year-olds had 17.1 (SD=5.6) ST. Half of the participants had no DS and 26% had D3S≥2. Non-Western region of birth, being single, and having a university education were significantly associated with higher numbers of ST. Low family income, presently a smoker, and irregular dental visits were significantly associated with the presence of dentine caries. Conclusions. The results of this study indicate that several non-biological determinants operating at different levels are important for health and disease in this adult population.