Brennan, D.Spencer, A.Roberts-Thomson, K.2010-12-212010-12-212010Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2010; 34(5):472-4751326-02001753-6405http://hdl.handle.net/2440/62026Objective: Knowledge of oral disease prevention should lead to better oral health outcomes. The aims were to assess the association of dental knowledge and oral health. Methods: A random sample of 45-54 year-olds from Adelaide, South Australia, was surveyed in 2004/05. Oral examinations provided data on caries. Results: A total of 879 persons returned questionnaires (response=43.8%) with 709 (80.7%) examined. The majority rated ‘seeing a dentist regularly’ (63.0%), ‘regular brushing of teeth’ (92.5%) and ‘using fluoride toothpaste’ (52.2%) as ‘definitely important’ in preventing tooth decay. The percentage of persons who had a high knowledge of tooth decay prevention was 59.9%. Multivariate analysis controlling for sex, place of birth, education and income showed (p<0.05) associations of high dental knowledge of tooth decay prevention with fewer decayed teeth (β=-0.19) and more filled teeth (β=1.13). Conclusions: Dental knowledge was associated with oral health status. Implications: Conveying of information should be one part of oral health promotion actions to improve oral health.en© 2010 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2010 Public Health Association of Australia45-54 year-oldsdental knowledgeoral healthcariesJournal article002010103610.1111/j.1753-6405.2010.00592.x0002825720000072-s2.0-7995211569933191Brennan, D. [0000-0002-7888-0920]Spencer, A. [0000-0002-3462-7456]Roberts-Thomson, K. [0000-0001-7084-5541]