Oral Impacts on Daily Performance in Norwegian adults:: the influence of age, number of missing teeth, and socio-demographic factors

This study investigates the relationships among socio-demographic factors, dental status, and impaired oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) using a translation into Norwegian of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) inventory. Data were collected as part of the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) OMNIBUS survey in Norway. The CBS drew a two-stage proportionate random sample, comprising 2,000 residents aged 16-79 yr, from the national population register. Information was available for 1,309 individuals (response rate 66.0%) who completed telephone interviews in November and December 2003. A total of 18.3% (95% confidence interval: 16.2-20.4) reported that an oral problem had affected at least one daily oral performance during the 6 months preceding the survey. The proportion of adults who confirmed impacts varied from 11.3% (eating) to 2.1% (social contact). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant disparities regarding respondents' age, residential area, dental attendance, and number of remaining teeth. The prevalence of OIDP in the Norwegian population was modest, but varied systematically with both socio-demographic and oral health-related factors. The consistently declining OIDP with increasing age after controlling for dental status suggests age-related changes of participants' values and expectations.