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Oral Health in New Zealand: Findings from the New Zealand Health Survey 2006/07

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thesis
posted on 2023-03-14, 23:27 authored by Lankshear, Lisa N.

This thesis investigates oral health in New Zealand. This is carried out through an analysis of the New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) which was undertaken by the Ministry of Health in 2006/07. The World Health Organisation recognises oral health as an integral part of general health and a basic human right. The New Zealand government also recognises the importance of oral health and aims to be proactive in addressing the needs of those at greatest risk of poor oral health. This analysis identifies those who have poorer oral health and less regular oral health care. The New Zealand goverment also aims for high-quality oral health services that promote, improve, maintain and restore good oral health to all New Zealanders. The results of the NZHS 2006/07 showed that the mean number of teeth lost due to tooth decay and gum disease in people aged 15 and over is 4.59 (4.56,4.61). This is strongly associated with age, with younger people having lost fewer teeth. Alcohol as well as fruit and vegetable intake had no association with tooth loss in adults. Fizzy drink intake was not significantly associated with poor child oral health, however a higher number of take away meals eaten by children consistently led to poorer oral health for those children. Ethnicity and deprivation were associated with tooth loss, regularity of oral health care, time since last oral health care visit, unmet oral health care need in the past 12 months and urgent unmet need. Those from more deprived populations had lower rates of regular care and higher rates of need and tooth loss. The final component of this thesis is a comparison of oral health outcomes over time, using NZHS 2006/07 and the New Zealand data from the WHO International Collaborative Study of Oral Health Outcomes 1988 (ICS II). It was found that in 2006/07 more 12-13 year olds are brushing their teeth 2 or more times a day than in 1998, and that the time since last visit to an oral health care worker for adults has reduced over time.

History

Copyright Date

2010-01-01

Date of Award

2010-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Applied Statistics

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Science

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Mathematics, Statistics and Operations Research

Advisors

Arnold, Richard