Socioeconomic inequality in relation to oral health among Thai population : a secondary data analysis

Abstract

Since major oral health problems include dental caries, periodontal disease and tooth loss. Studies from many countries reports inequality in oral health which has become challenging worldwide. People with lower socioeconomic position prone to have more severe condition in oral health more than those with higher position. However, there are few studies on socioeconomic inequality in oral health in developing countries, including Thailand. This study aimed to determine the relationship of socioeconomic difference in oral health outcome and oral health behavior among Thai adult population. This study is a cross-sectional analytical study using secondary data from the 7th Thailand National Oral Health Survey (2012). Oral health outcomes are indicated by the number of dental caries, tooth loss, and the CPI index. Socioeconomic status(SES) was indicated by income, education and occupational groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine relationship between variables and oral health outcomes. Personal background, access to dental service and oral health-related behaviors were adjusted for analysis. Results show that SES relates to oral health which indicates socioeconomic inequality in oral health for Thai population. Education is the most obvious factors that shows significance among socioeconomic variables comparing to income and occupational groups. People with higher education show better oral health status. Personal background, oral health-related behaviorห and access to dental service also relate to oral health outcomes.