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Health Education Population Survey (HEPS): Update from 2004 Survey - Final Report

8. Oral health

Although poor oral health is not generally fatal, it is a common cause of pain, potentially leading to disability. It is an aspect of child health showing sustained health inequalities: in 1999, 72% of girls and 73% of boys living in deprived areas having dental caries by age 5, compared with 39% of girls and 41% of boys living in affluent areas. Poor oral health limits personal choices and social opportunities, and diminishes quality of life in the same way as diseases of other body systems. These broader effects of poor oral health are illustrated by findings from the 1992/93 survey carried out as part of the Scottish Health Boards’ Dental Epidemiological Programme. This survey identified relatively high levels of problems associated with oral ill-health, such as oral pain and discomfort, difficulty in eating and poor appearance. The Scottish Needs Assessment Programme 1997 report on adult oral health also noted that most of the Scottish population experienced some form of oral disease during their lifetime.

The main aims for health education in the area of oral health were identified in the 1995 Scottish Office document, The Oral Health Strategy for Scotland as to encourage eating a healthy diet, using preventative measures and regular visits to the dentist. A new Action Plan was published in March 2005 in which oral health is seen as an integral part of overall health improvement, underpinned by a free dental examination for all population groups (AnAction Plan for Improving Oral Health and Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland, Scottish Executive, March 2005)

8.1 Reported behaviour

2004 saw further consolidation of the increasing trends in dental visits. Three in four (74%) reported visiting the dentist in the past year and almost half (48%) reported a routine check up in the past six months (Figure 8.1).

Figure 8.1 Time trends in dentist attendance (1996-2004)

Base: all respondents (2004:1784)

As in previous years there was a clear gradient in attendance in the past year by age and social grade (Figure 8.2).

Figure 8.2 Percentage attending dentist in past year by age/social grade

Base: all respondents 2004 (1784)

The gap between the youngest and oldest respondents has been closing over time, with the proportion of those aged 65-74 attending the dentist in the past year rising from 34% in 1996 to 57% in 2004. However, there is no evidence that the gap is closing between those from the highest and lowest social grades.

8.2 Motivation

Three in four respondents (77%) were planning to visit their dentist in the next six months although this falls to 35% of those who have not visited a dentist in the past year (Figure 8.3). In general, there has been an increasing trend over time in motivation, and this has been consolidated in 2004.

Figure 8.3 Time trends in intention to attend dentist (1996-2004)

Base: all respondents (2004:1784) and all not visiting dentist in past year (2004: 485)

Main points

• 2004 saw consolidation of the increases observed previously in the proportion attending the dentist in the past year (74%), in the past six months for a routine check-up (48%) and intended visits in the next six months (77%).
• Older people, and those from lower socio-economic groups were less likely to have visited a dentist and there is no sign of the gap reducing between those in the highest and lowest social grades.