Socioeconomic inequality in the provision of health advice in dental setting in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Abstract

Objective: To assess socioeconomic inequalities in health advice provided in dental setting.

Methods: Data were from the Adult Dental Health Survey, 2009 of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Index of Multiple Deprivation, occupational classification and education were used to assess differences in advice on diet, oral hygiene and dental visits using logistic regression.

Results: The analysis included 6279 participants with complete data. There were significant socioeconomic inequalities in all health advice provided in dental setting. Those with a higher level of education had significant odds ratios of 1.36 (1.06-1.75), 1.40 (1.15-1.70), and 1.82 (1.47-2.25) for having advice on diet, dental visits and oral hygiene, respectively compared to those with lower education.

Conclusion: Inequalities in health advice in the dental setting resemble inequalities in oral health. This implies that those who are most likely to need behaviour-related advice do not receive it. Health policies should address the underpinning causes of inequalities in health advice.

Practice implications: Growing evidence supports the importance of health advice given in dental practice. More time and greater resources should be allocated for comprehensive health advice particularly to the socially disadvantaged to reduce inequalities and subsequently promoting health-related behaviours.

Keywords: Dental practice; Health advice; Health inequalities; Health-promoting behaviours; Oral health.