TOOTH LOSS, PROSTHETICS AND DENTAL TREATMENT HABITS IN A GROUP OF SWEDISH MEN

Dental history, dental status, the need for prosthetic treatment and dental treatment habits were studied in 389 men aged 21-54 yr. The men were selected from a group undergoing military refresher training in south Sweden. One percent of the men were toothless. About 3% had full dentures in 1 or both jaws and an equal percentage had partial dentures. About 3% of the men had bridges in the maxilla and 2% in the mandible. Tooth loss was greatest in the mandibular molar segment, followed by the maxillary molar segment. Using an index for dental status, about 8% of the men were judged in great need of prosthetic treatment for aesthetic reasons and/or to improve occlusion. Age, place of birth, educational level and smoking habits were among the factors related to dental status. About 70% of the men reported thay they went to the dentist once a yr, while about 10% rarely or never sought dental treatment. Dental treatment habits were correlated to place of birth, number of brothers and sisters, edentulousness and the need for prosthetic treatment, among other factors.