Parker, E.Jamieson, L.Steffens, M.Cathro, P.Logan, R.2011-11-012011-11-012011Australian Dental Journal, 2011; 56(3):272-2770045-04211834-7819http://hdl.handle.net/2440/67113Background: There is limited information on self-perceived oral health of homeless populations. This study quantified self-reported oral health among a metropolitan homeless adult population and compared against a representative sample of the metropolitan adult population obtained from the National Survey of Adult Oral Health. Methods: A total of 248 homeless participants (age range 17–78 years, 79% male) completed a self-report questionnaire. Data for an age-matched, representative sample of metropolitan-dwelling adults were obtained from Australia’s second National Survey of Adult Oral Health. Percentage responses and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, with non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals used to identify statistically significant differences between the two groups. Results: Homeless adults reported poorer oral health than their age-matched general population counterparts. Twice as many homeless adults reported visiting a dentist more than a year ago and that their usual reason for dental attendance was for a dental problem. The proportion of homeless adults with a perceived need for fillings or extractions was also twice that of their age-matched general population counterparts. Three times as many homeless adults rated their oral health as 'fair' or 'poor'. Conclusions: A significantly greater proportion of homeless adults in an Australian metropolitan location reported poorer oral health compared with the general metropolitan adult population.en© 2011 Australian Dental AssociationSelf-reported oral healthhomeless adults.Journal article002011243710.1111/j.1834-7819.2011.01346.x0002943583000062-s2.0-8005224280727904Parker, E. [0000-0002-6709-5476]Jamieson, L. [0000-0001-9839-9280]Logan, R. [0000-0002-9331-1814]