Social gradients in oral health status in Korea population

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether clinical (severe tooth loss) and subjective (chewing difficulties) indicators of oral health outcomes are associated with socioeconomic position and to explore the age-sex differences in the magnitude of the social gradient in Korea using data from the representative national data. Methods: Data were acquired from 10,939 men and women, >= 30 years of age who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted from 2012 to 2014. Education and income were used as socioeconomic position. Self-rated chewing difficulties and severe tooth loss were assessed by dentists and trained interviewers. Confounding variables were demographic factors, general health behaviors, and systemic health status. Results: Significant differences in oral health outcomes were observed according to the quartiles of income and education. In particular, the quartiles of education were significantly associated with oral health outcomes in the fully adjusted model with a dose-response trend. In participants aged 40-49 (OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.37-3.88) and 50-59 years (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.49-3.14), the associations between the lowest quartiles of income and chewing difficulties were stronger than in the total population. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a clear and distinct social gradient in clinical and subjective oral health indicators based on socioeconomic position.