Dental health differences by social class in home-dwelling seniors of Barcelona, Spain.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess dental health differences by social class in home-dwelling seniors in Spain.

Methods: A cross-sectional household survey of a cohort of senior residents in Barcelona (Spain) was undertaken. Of 891 survivors (72 years or older), 561 (62.9%) oral examinations were completed according to the DMF Index (Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth).

Results: 42% of participants were edentate. The individuals of social class IV-V were more likely to be edentate, and to have fewer than 15 teeth compared to those in social class I-II. The DMF Index in dentate individuals (Adjusted mean=16.4) also showed significantly worse dental health for lower social classes (p = 0.001).

Conclusions: The results of this study indicate a different level of utilization of dental health services and dental health by social class in home-dwelling seniors. Further research is needed to understand the barriers of access and social inequality.