Disparities in self reported oral health problems among a young Syrian adult population

Abstract

Objective: To describe the prevalence of dental pain and other oral health problems among a young Syrian adult population and to identify socio-demographic factors associated with these experiences. Subjects: An industrial sample of 400 men and women aged 18-34 years from Damascus, Syria. Methods: Study participants were interviewed about their experience of oral health problems in the previous year (1998). Socio-demographic information was collected. Results: 93% (369) of the interviews were completed. The prevalence of oral health problems was high, with 96% (353) of respondents claiming that they experienced one or more problems in the previous year. Two thirds of participants (65%, 239) claimed they had dental pain in the previous year. Analysis revealed that dental pain experience was significantly associated with age and gender. Analysis considering all factors revealed that the odds of experiencing dental pain were higher amongst the younger age group (18-24 compared to 25-34 year-olds). Conclusion: The prevalence of oral health problems was high among the population studied. Socio-demographic variations in experience of dental pain were apparent, with young men of lower education having the greatest odds of dental pain experience in the previous year.