Objectives: To analyse the possible effects of the socioeconomic status (SES) on the prosthetic replacement of missing teeth in working-age people and to explore the role of potential confounders.
Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 2310 German adults aged 30-59 years. The relationship between each of the three SES indicators (education, income, and occupational status) and dental prostheses were examined by multinomial logistic regression analyses. For that, partially dentate participants with suboptimal and no replacement of missing teeth were compared with partially dentate participants having optimal replacement. Potential confounders (age, sex, dental status, social network and social support) were entered if their inclusion in the model led to >or= 10% change in the coefficient of interest.
Results: Social network and social support did not meet the criterion for confounding. In the maxilla, having no replacement was positively associated with lower categories for each of the three SES indicators [Odds ratios (OR) between 1.6 and 2.1; 95% confidence intervals (CI) between 1.1 and 3.4]. Low occupational status was the single predictor for suboptimal dental prostheses (OR=3.2; 95% CI: 1.6-6.2). In the mandible, occupational status showed no association with the prosthetic status, whereas low educational level and low household income were determinants for having no replacement (OR=1.9 and 1.9, 95% CI: 1.0-3.5 and 1.1-3.0, respectively). Low household income was the single determinant for suboptimal replacement of missing teeth (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.1-5.2).
Conclusion: The findings may indicate the relevance of the financing of prosthodontic treatment. The strong association between various forms of upper dentures and occupational prestige can be seen as key contributing concept to how individuals' characteristics affect the outcome in prosthodontic care.