The effect of education on dental service utilization patterns in different sectors: A multiple mediation analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate how education level affects dental service utilization patterns in the Australian adult population. This study tested how education level mediated these service patterns through behavioural mediators such as smoking, tooth brushing and oral health status and investigated these mediation effects in different dental service providers.

Method: Following the flexible mediation approach, the direct and indirect effects of education through behavioural mediators on dental service utilization patterns (time of last dental visit, reason for last dental visit and frequency of seeking dental care) were calculated for the South Australian population from the Dental Care and Oral Health Study.

Income-based inequalities in dental service utilization: A multiple mediation analysis.

Objectives: With elimination of the financial burden of dental services, one can expect an increase in utilization of dental services. This study aimed to investigate the effective mechanisms of financial barriers to the utilization of dental services in an Australian adult population.

Methods: South Australian survey data from the Dental Care and Oral Health Study (2015) were analysed.

Is the association between social support and oral health modified by household income? Findings from a national study of adults in Australia.

Objective: To investigate whether the association between social support and oral health outcomes is modified by levels of household income.

Methods: Data were from the National Study of Adults Oral Health (NSAOH 2004-06), a nationally representative study comprising n = 3619 adults in Australia. Effect measure modification (EMM) analysis was adopted to verify whether the association between social support and poor/fair self-rated oral health, lack of a functional dentition (<21 teeth) and low Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL; measured using OHIP-14) varies according to levels of income.

Atraumatic restorative treatments and oral health-related quality of life and dental anxiety in Australian Aboriginal children: A cluster-randomized trial.

Objectives: The management of early childhood caries is challenging and the impacts of its treatment on child oral health-related quality of life (COHRQoL) and dental anxiety among Australian Aboriginal children is relatively unknown. The aim of the study was to compare the impact on COHRQoL and dental anxiety after approximately 12 months among Aboriginal children treated for early childhood caries (ECC) using the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment and the Hall Technique (ART/HT: test) or standard care (control).

Methods: Consenting Aboriginal communities in the North-West of Western Australia were randomized into early (test) or delayed (control) intervention for the management of ECC.

Temporomandibular dysfunction experience is associated with oral health-related quality of life: an Australian national study.

Background: There are very few studies of the association between temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a representative sample from the Asia-Pacific region. Accordingly, we aimed to quantify the association of TMD with OHRQoL dimensions and overall measurement scores in a representative sample of Australian adults while accounting for a range of confounders, and statistically estimating whether TMD experience is meaningfully associated with OHRQoL.

Method: Australia's National Survey of Adult Oral Health 2004-2006 data were used.

The Practice of Dentistry by Australian- and Overseas-Trained Dentists in Australia: Discriminant Analysis of key Predictors.

Introduction: Overseas-trained dentists comprise at least one-fourth of the overall Australian dental workforce. This study examined characteristics and practice differences between Australian- and overseas-trained dentists to identify key predictors that best differentiate their dentistry practices.

Methods: Data for the study were from the Longitudinal Study of Dentist Practice Activity (LSDPA), a survey of a nationally representative random sample of dentists in Australia commencing in 1983-1984 and repeated every 5 years.

Are trust and satisfaction similar in dental care settings?

Objectives: Trust and satisfaction in dental care settings are salient constructs to operationalize the concept of dentist-patient relationships (DPR). This study aimed to compare the similarity of both constructs with regard to factor structure and revise the scales for better psychometric properties.

Methods: Data analysed in the study were collected in self-complete questionnaires from a random sample of 4011 adults living in South Australia.

Oral hygiene behaviours among Australian adults in the National Study of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH) 2017-18.

Background: This paper examines oral hygiene behaviours (tooth brushing, mouthwash use and dental floss) by a range of explanatory variables.

Methods: Explanatory variables included age, sex, region, income, area-based SES, dental insurance and visiting pattern. The data reported were collected in the interview survey in NSAOH 2017-18.

Oral health impacts among Australian adults in the National Study of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH) 2017-18.

Background: This paper examines oral health impacts of toothache experience, self-rated oral health (SROH), being uncomfortable with dental appearance, and avoiding foods in the Australian adult population.

Methods: The explanatory variables include age, sex, region, income, area-based SES, dental insurance and visiting pattern. The data were collected in the interview in NSAOH 2017-18.

Use of dental services among Australian adults in the National Study of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH) 2017-18.

Background: This study examines last dental visit (visiting within the last 12 months, having a last visit 5 or more years ago, attending a private dental practice) and usual visit (usually visiting for a check-up, having a dentist they usually attend).

Methods: Explanatory variables include age, gender, region, income, area-based SES and dental insurance. The data were collected in the Interview in NSAOH 2017-18.

The long-term influence of orthodontic treatment on dental knowledge and behaviour: An Australian cohort study.

Objectives: Fixed orthodontic treatment (FOT) typically lasts 14-33 months, with regular appointments at short intervals to monitor changes, adjust appliances, and remotivate patients to maintain excellent oral hygiene standards to prevent dental disease. Past experiences are important influencers of dental attitudes and self-care dental behaviours in adulthood. Since FOT comprises a high frequency of appointments compared to other dental visiting, we hypothesised that previous FOT enhances dental knowledge and behaviour in later life.

Trust in dentist-patient relationships: mapping the relevant concepts.

Trust has a central role in healthcare encounters. This review explored concepts relevant to trust in dentist-patient relationships. The findings were demonstrated by drawing visual system maps for better understanding of the inherent complexity.

Validation of the Health Literacy in Dentistry scale in Brazilian adults.

Objectives: To perform cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Health Literacy Dental scale (HeLD) in Brazilian adults.

Methods: The HeLD instrument was translated and cross-culturally adapted to the Brazilian Portuguese language to create longer (HeLD-29) and shorter (HeLD-14) versions. The reliability and validity of these versions were assessed in a sample of 603 adults living near six primary care units in the city of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.

A strife of interests: A qualitative study on the challenges facing oral health workforce policy and planning.

Oral health workforce policy has often lacked systematic connections with broader health policy, and system-based reforms that would enable more effective responses to future needs of the population. The aim of the study was to better understand challenges facing oral health workforce policy and planning and identify potential solutions. In-depth interviews of 23 senior oral health leaders and/or health policy experts from 15 countries were conducted in 2016-17.

Obesity, dietary sugar and dental caries in Australian adults.

Objectives: To determine the association of overweight/obesity, dental caries and dietary sugars in Australian adults.

Materials And Methods: The National Survey of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH) 2004-2006 provided data for analysis of dental caries experience. Self-reported body weight and height were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) for a subsample (n = 3,745, 89.

Psychometric properties of the Child Oral-care Performance Assessment Scale.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of Child Oral-care Performance Assessment Scale (COPAS).

Methods: Items for the instrument were developed and pilot tested. This questionnaire was implemented in the Australian National Child Oral Health Study 2012-2014, whose aims included the assessment of oral care performance.

The long-term influence of orthodontic treatment on adults' psychosocial outcomes: An Australian cohort study.

Objectives: To assess the influence of orthodontic treatment on psychosocial outcomes in 30-year-olds. The research hypothesis tested was that participants previously treated orthodontically would have better psychosocial outcomes.

Setting And Sample Population: A prospective longitudinal cohort design was used to follow-up a sample of 1859 30-year-olds from Adelaide, South Australia, who had previously participated in an oral epidemiology study.

Area-level social development and indicators of public dental services in Southern Brazil.

Objectives: This study aimed to test associations between a municipal social development indicator and indicators of public dental services; examine differences in the achievement of public dental services goals between fluoridated and nonfluoridated municipalities; and, quantify contribution of a municipal social development indicator in estimated mean differences in the public dental services indicators between fluoridated and nonfluoridated municipalities.

Methods: A secondary analysis of data from 293 municipal dental health services records from Southern Brazil between 2010 and 2015 was conducted. Multivariable log-binomial regression models were fitted to test the associations between municipal Human Development Index (HDI) and multiple public dental services indicators (proportion of public dental health service coverage, the proportion of tooth extraction among all clinical procedures, and monthly participation in supervised tooth brushing).

Psychosocial factors and self-reported transitions in oral and general health.

Psychosocial factors may explain variance in health beyond conventional indicators, such as behaviours. This study aimed to examine changes in health associated with perceived stress, social support, and self-efficacy, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviour. A random sample of 45- to 54-yr-old subjects was surveyed in 2004-2005, with a follow-up 2 yr later.

The influence of orthodontic treatment on dental caries: An Australian cohort study.

Objective: To assess the influence of orthodontic treatment on long-term caries experience in 30-year-old South Australians. The research hypothesis that was tested was that those with previous orthodontic treatment would have lower caries experience.

Methods: In 2005-2006, a sample of 1859 30-year-olds from Adelaide, South Australia, who comprised 47% of participants who had previously taken part in an oral epidemiology study in 1988-1989, were traced from the Australian electoral roll and invited to participate in a cross-sectional study investigating long-term dental health outcomes.

Assessment of pain-related fear in individuals with chronic painful conditions.

Background: Heightened fear and anxiety related to pain may result in emotional and behavioral avoidance responses causing disability, distress, and depression. Fear and anxiety associated with pain can potentially change the course of the pain experience. It is plausible that fear and anxiety related to pain affect the duration and frequency of pain experienced by the patient.

Socioeconomic and psychosocial associations with oral health impact and general health.

Background: There is debate whether both subjective and objective measures of socioeconomic status (SES) are needed to predict health, and whether these factors are explained by psychosocial characteristics. The aims were to investigate the association of socioeconomic and psychosocial variables with oral health impact and general health utility.

Methods: A random sample of 45- to 54-year-olds from Adelaide, South Australia, was surveyed by self-complete questionnaire in 2004-2005.

Variations in Australian dental therapy practice by practitioner and workplace characteristics.

Introduction: Understanding dental therapy practice across clinical settings is useful for education and service planning. This study assessed if dental therapy service provision varied according to practitioner and workplace characteristics.

Methods: Members of professional associations representing dental therapists (DT) and oral health therapists (OHT) were posted a self-complete survey collecting practitioner and workplace characteristics, together with clinical activity on a self-selected typical day of practice.