Dental health knowledge and attitudes in a disadvantaged, rural population

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Abstract
Dental health knowledge and attitudes were studied through interviews with recipients of social insurance and/or welfare assistance aged 20-60 living in a rural community in Norway. Most respondents were poorly informed about dental diseases, particularly periodontal disease. Much ignorance surrounded waterfluoridation, whereas local application of fluorides was known and approved by 66% of the respondents. School dental treatment was almost unanimously considered beneficial. Only 56% of the interviewed, however, meant that filling of deciduous teeth was worthwhile. Sixty-nine per cent of the group considered conservative treatment preferable to prosthetic. General public financing of dental care was recommended by 56% of the respondents, while 30% held that public support should be reserved for the needy. Analyses of the data indicated that dental health knowledge and attitudes had been affected by situational factors and treatment experiences.

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