Dental health patterns in young adults in Lithuania: an exploratory, analytical approach.

Patterns of variation in experience related to caries and treatment with regard to psychosocial, socio-economic, lifestyle, and oral healthcare-related characteristics were explored. A random sample of 382 (response rate 51%) subjects residing in 10 areas of Lithuania was examined (35 to 44-year-olds). Participants were given a dental examination and asked to complete a structured questionnaire. Experience related to caries and treatment differed with regard to residency and between genders. Analysis of self-reported data elucidated different aspects of psychosocial and socio-economic status and a variety of lifestyle factors. Interrelationships between the studied determinants were also analysed. Different patterns of dental health were revealed for men and women and for urban and rural participants. It can be concluded that factors influencing the dental status of Lithuanians are not only multiple, they seem also to influence dental health in complex ways. An exploratory approach should therefore be considered as a prerequisite to a causal approach of studying caries in populations.