Oral health promotion and labour market prospects of socially disadvantaged and unemployed people - a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Previous studies indicate that poor oral health may constitute a barrier for labour market success. This study examines whether an oral health promotion intervention has an effect on economic self-support, and proximity to the labour market, among socially disadvantaged unemployed people.

Methods: From April-June 2018, we enrolled 273 vulnerable people on welfare benefits into a randomised controlled trial. Participants were allocated to either control (=159), or intervention (=114). Intervention consisted of individual support to improve individuals' oral health by reducing significant barriers to dental care. Ten participants were excluded, leaving 263 participants (intervention =110, control =153) for analyses. A national register was used to assess economic self-support and proximity to the labour market within 1.5 years post-intervention. Items of information on health and socio-demographics were obtained from a questionnaire and from national registers. Logistic and multiple linear regression modelling was performed.

Results: Overall, higher frequencies of economic self-support and proximity to the labour market were found in the intervention group, although no significant results were seen for economic self-support alone. Adjusted models revealed significantly higher odds (odds ratio=1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.08-3.17) among the intervention group of achieving proximity to the labour market after 12 months. After 18 months, the intervention group had on average obtained 5 more weeks (95% confidence interval 0.02-9.99) with proximity to the labour market.

Conclusions: