Use of oral health services and adult oral health in Finland.

This paper describes changes in use of oral health services and oral health in Finnish adults. The figures are taken from the Mini-Finland study of people aged 30 years or over (1980), a study of the oral health of persons aged 35 to 64 years old in the Jämsä Health Centre region (1990), and a study on the oral health of people aged 65 or over in the Varkaus region (1990). In 1980 one-third of Finnish adults aged 30 years or over visited a dentist at least once every two years. In 1990, 41% of the population between 35 and 64 years old visited a dentist at least once every two years. Among those aged 65 or over, however, most subjects visited a dentist only if they had an acute dental problem. An oral health check-up was the reason given for their last dental visit by 25% of adults in 1980. The percentage was slightly greater in 1990. Regular use of oral health services was reflected in better oral health. Occurrence of dental caries correlated strongly with use of oral health services. In 1980 only 4% of Finnish adults had a healthy periodontium. There was no marked improvement in 1990 in periodontal health. The most radical positive development was observed in relation to degree of periodontal loss. Despite some positive development, the association between oral health and use of oral health services has remained unchanged. The results support encouragement of an oral health check-up at least once every two years.