Third molar extractions among Australian adults: findings from the 2013 National Dental Telephone Interview Survey

Abstract

Objectives: To identify, over the past 12 months, whether: (1) dental insurance is associated with a higher number of third molar extractions (TME); (2) single versus multiple TME is associated with self-rated oral health; and (3) TME when aged 18-25 years is associated with fewer days absent from work due to dental problems. Methodology: Australia’s 2013 National Dental Telephone Interview Survey which included: socio-demographics, in the past 12 months: number of extractions, extractions reasons, self-rated oral health and days absent from work due to dental problems. Results: Most TME recipients were female (56.6%, SE=6.0%), aged 18-25 years (63.0%, SE=5.4%), hold a tertiary qualification (73.9%, SE=5.4%), with a total annual household income of ≥$60,000 (58.3%, SE=6.4%), dentally insured (52.6%, SE=6.2%) and received multiple TME (60.9%, SE=8.5%). Number of TME was associated with dental insurance (B=0.97: 95% CI: 0.5 to 1.5) and days of work absence due to dental problems (B=1.10: 95% CI: 0.26 to 1.94). Receiving single versus multiple TME was not associated with self-rated oral health (B=-0.25: 95% CI: -.76 to 0.25). Receiving TME when aged 18-25 years versus older age groups was not associated with days absent from work due to dental problems (B=0.48:95% CI: -0.37 to 2.33). Conclusion: Dental insurance was associated with a higher TME count without improving self-reported oral health in the short-term. Using age as a justification for prophylactic TME might be questionable since, receiving TME when aged 18-25 years versus older age group did not reduce days absent from work due to dental problems.