Title: Correlation between sociodemographic factors and tooth loss in adolescents in Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries and orthodontic treatments are the most common reasons for tooth extraction among younger population.Socio-demographic, cultural and behavioural factors affect both tooth loss and reasons for extraction in adolescent period of life. Objective: This study was to assess the prevalence of tooth loss, reasons for extraction and factors that can influence reasons for tooth extraction in examined population in urban area. Method: Epidemiological cross-sectional study included 273 randomly selected, first and second grade high school students, in Belgrade in the period of May-June 2022. The research instruments were questionnaire and clinical examination. The questionnaire was divided in 9 parts focusing on socio-demographic characteristics, habits, attitudes and behaviour related to general and oral health. Clinical examination was used to gather data about tooth loss and dental status. Statistical analysis was performed using the software package SPSS Statistics. Results: Most participants identified caries complications as the indication for tooth extraction (82.8%). Almost one fifth of participants (21% girls and 16,3% boys respectively) have extracted at least one tooth. Data analyses showed existence of connection between extracted teeth and socio-demographic factors. Investigation of nature of connection between dependent variable -reason for tooth extraction and independent variables pointed out on significant influence of socio-demographic characteristics of participants as well as theirs' oral health habits (p<0,001). Those two independent variables had positive influence on reason for extraction meaning that adolescents with higher scores had extracted teeth due to planned orthodontic therapy. Conclusions: The loss of permanent teeth in adolescent age is a problem that may influence all aspects of life, because it affects aesthetic appearance, self-confidence and the entire quality of life and not just masticatory dysfunction. Socio-demographic conditions, such as parents’ employment, family income and financial status significantly influenced the number of participants with extracted teeth.