Page 9 - Petelin, Ana. 2024. Ed. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih | Health of the Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik prispevkov z recenzijo | Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press

https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-397-5.9-20

Oral Hygiene and the Use of Fluoride

Toothpastes in Adults in Slovenia in 2019

Barbara Artnik, Martin Ranfl 2
1
1 University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2 National Institute of Public Health, Regional Unit Murska Sobota, Murska Sobota, Slovenia

Abstract

Introduction: We present the results of the »National Oral Health Survey
of Adults in Slovenia in 2019 «, which for the first time determined
the level of oral health care in adults at the national level. The aim
of our study was to assess the state of oral health in adults and make
recommendations for its promotion. We report in detail the results
and findings in relation to oral hygiene and fluoride use. Methods: The
target population was adults aged 18–74 years. The gender- and age-
representative sample comprised 3,200 adults (0.21% of the population in
Slovenia). The survey was conducted using the EGOHID questionnaire.
The data were weighted by gender, age and education. The results were
analysed based on the number and proportion of people in the selected
categories according to demographic variables (gender, age, education,
living environment) and other variables (frequency of dental cleaning,
etc.). The distribution of proportions between different groups (by
gender, age, education and living environment) and comparisons
were tested using the chi-square (χ ) test and the CCP test to compare
2
proportions between different groups. Results: 71% of adults brushed
their teeth regularly (at least twice a day), of which 81% were women
and 60% men (χ test=49.879, p<0.001; CCP test, p<0.001). Only 59% of
2
adults with at least primary education, 68% of adults with secondary
education and 82% of adults with at least tertiary education brushed their
teeth at least twice a day (χ test=24.965, p<0.001), but only compared
2
to adults with at least tertiary education (CCP test, p<0.001). In rural
areas, where 62% of adults regularly brushed their teeth, the proportion
2
was lower than among adults in urban (78%) or suburban areas (76%) (χ
test=26.466, p<0.001; CCP test, p<0.004). Most adults used toothpaste
when brushing their teeth. Of these, 64% used toothpaste with fluoride,
14% used toothpaste without fluoride and 23% did not know whether
their toothpaste contained fluoride. Dental floss was used regularly or