Objective: To describe methods and challenges of oral health studies nested in a prospective cohort study of adults.
Methods: A sample of 2,016 adults was investigated in 2009. Household visits were performed in order to apply a questionnaire on socioeconomic, demographic, health related variables, medicine consumption, blood donation, domestic violence and a set of questions related to women's health. Oral health data included self-reported oral health, number of remaining teeth, dental services use, perception of dental treatment needs, occurrence, intensity and impact of dental pain on daily life, xerostomia and chewing impairment due to poor oral health. In addition, participants' blood pressure, weight, height and waist circumference were measured. The second wave of the study was carried out in 2012. A questionnaire on socioeconomic factors, quality of life, discriminatory experiences, 24-hour dietary recall and oral health aspects (the same used in 2009) was applied. In addition, blood pressure, weight, and waist circumference were measured and clinical oral health status was assessed (dental caries, tooth loss, and periodontal outcomes).
Results: Participation rate was 85.3% (n = 1,720) in 2009 and, among those, 1,222 (71.1%) were followed up in 2012.
Conclusions: The follow-up of this population will contribute in the elucidation of the potentially causal associations between oral outcomes and general chronic diseases.