Tooth loss in Sri Lankan adults.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and correlates of tooth loss in Sri Lankan adults.

Design: A descriptive cross sectional study.

Setting: Colombo district of Sri Lanka.

Participants: Adults aged 20 years and above.

Methods: Data were collected by means of an interviewer administered questionnaire and an oral examination.

Results: The overall prevalence of tooth loss was 81.6% while 1.9% of the sample was edentulous. The prevalence rates of tooth loss in the 20-39, 40-59 and ≥ 60-year-old were 71%, 93% and 96%, respectively, while 0%, 1.5% and 11.4% were edentulous in the three groups. Age (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.08-1.11), having received 11 or more years of education (OR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.15-0.97), use of fluoride toothpaste (OR = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.30-0.66), brushing frequency (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.43-0.89) and use of dental services (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.12-3.84) were significantly associated with having more than 12 missing teeth.

Conclusions: The overall prevalence of tooth loss is high among Sri Lankan adults.