Comparison of Dental Health Capacity between Smokers and Nonsmokers

Ju, On Ju; Kim, In Ja

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the dental health capacity of smokers and nonsmokers. This study included 9,856 adults aged 19 years or older. The data used for analysis were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey for the 6th round, 1st (2013), and 2nd round (2014). Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of complex sample survey data. The demographic characteristics and results of the comparison of the dental health capacity between smokers and nonsmokers were as follows: with regard to the tissue health (T-health) index, the sex, age, and education level were statistically significant in smokers and nonsmokers. For the functioning teeth (FS-T) index, age, income, and education levels were statistically significant in smokers, while sex, age, and education level were statistically significant in nonsmokers. In smokers, the age and education level were statistically significant for present teeth (PT), sound teeth (ST), and missing teeth (MT), while in nonsmokers, the sex, age, and education level were statistically significant for the same parameters (p<0.05). A comparison of the dental health capacity between smokers and nonsmokers yielded the following findings: the T-health index was higher in smokers, while the FS-T index was higher in nonsmokers. PT and ST were higher in nonsmokers (p<0.05). The results of this study show that the dental health capacity of nonsmokers was higher than that of smokers. Therefore, a clear difference was observed in the dental health capacity of smokers and nonsmokers. The results of this study can provide objective data for nonsmoking treatment.