Oral health status among low-income people admitted to Osaka Socio-Medical Center in Japan.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the dental condition, perceived oral symptoms, and frequency of dental visits among low-income people admitted to Osaka Socio-Medical Center (OMSC) and to compare with Japanese national survey respondents.

METHODS

Oral health examinations for inpatients admitted to OMSC were performed from August to November 2004. In total, 113 inpatients who were in the recovery period without acute symptoms, were selected.

RESULTS

109 inpatients received dental examination. All participants were male. About half of the subjects (49%) did not have any medical insurance, and the percentage of subjects who had 20 or more teeth was smaller than in a national survey in all age groups. The subjects had a higher reported frequency of oral symptoms compared with respondents to the national survey. Accessibility to dental clinics among subjects was notably low.

CONCLUSION

Dental condition and perceived oral symptoms among the subjects were poor compared to national survey respondents. Dental care to improve the oral health condition of this segment of the population is needed.