Socio-behavioural factors influencing oral health of 12 and 15 year old Greek adolescents. A national pathfinder survey

Aim: To estimate the frequency in use of oral health services, oral health self-assessment, oral hygiene practices of 12- and 15-year-old Greek children and adolescents, to investigate possible influences of these factors and other socio-demographic parameters on oral health. Methods: A stratified cluster sample of 1,224 12-year-old and 1,257 15-year-old children and adolescents of Greek nationality were selected and examined by calibrated examiners. Clinical examination included recording of caries according to the BASCD diagnostic criteria, while oral hygiene and periodontal status were assessed by means of the simplified debris and the community periodontal index. Subjects were interviewed to answer questions on socio-behavioural risk factors through a structured questionnaire. The student's t-test and ANOVA were used for statistical evaluation of the means and the chi-square test was applied for statistical comparison of the proportions. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the statistical association between variables. Results: Caries experience and untreated caries were significantly higher among children and adolescents who visited the dentist only when in pain or for restoring a tooth, compared with those visiting for check-ups or prevention and having more frequent application of topical fluorides. Tooth brushing, at least twice a day, and flossing were significantly associated with periodontal and oral hygiene status, but not with caries presence. Multivariate analysis revealed that parental educational status and reason for visiting a dentist were strong determinants for caries experience and oral hygiene status but not for periodontal health of children and adolescents. Conclusions: This study has identified several socio-demographic and behavioural determinants for dental caries, oral hygiene and periodontal health of Greek children and adolescents.