Comparison of Dental Attendance between Female Office Workers and Male Worker's Spouses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare dental attendant behavior in female office workers and male worker's spouses. Dental attendance and food intake behavior were analyzed in terms of four components : (1) the mean number of dental care bills per year ; (2) the mean number of dental consultation days per year ; (3) the mean insurance score of the dental care bills per year ; and (4) responses from a self-reported questionnaire. Statistical analysis of these data was performed using the Mann-Whitney's U test and chi-square test. The results were as follows. The mean number of dental care bills per year in the 50-54 yrs group was 1.40 in female office workers and 2.21 in male worker's spouses. The mean number of dental consultation days per year in the 50-54 yrs group was 2.89 in female office workers and 5.58 in male worker's spouses (p<0.05). The mean insurance score of the dental care bills per year in the 50-54 yrs group was 1,752 in female office workers and 3,016 in male worker's spouses (p<0.05). In questionnaire responses, male worker's spouses revealed significantly higher rates (p<0.05) of eating between meals and dental attendance during clinical hours than female office workers. These results suggest that its necessary to provide oral health instruction not only for employees but also for male worker's spouses.