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. 2010 Sep;89(9):959-64.
doi: 10.1177/0022034510371280. Epub 2010 Jun 11.

Trend of income-related inequality of child oral health in Australia

L G Do  1 , A J Spencer, G D Slade, D H Ha, K F Roberts-Thomson, P Liu
Affiliations

Trend of income-related inequality of child oral health in Australia

L G Do et al. J Dent Res. 2010 Sep.

Abstract

It is important that we monitor socio-economic inequality in health. Inequality in child oral health has been expected to widen because of widening socio-economic inequality. This study aimed to evaluate trends in income-related inequality in caries experience of Australian children. Cross-sectional studies in 1992/93 and 2002/03 collected data on deciduous caries experience of 5- to 10-year-olds and permanent caries experience of 6- to 12-year-olds. Household composition and income was used to calculate quartiles of equivalized income. Slope Index of Inequality (SII), Concentration Index (CI), and regression-based rate ratios were used to quantify income-related inequality and to evaluate trends. Income-related inequality in caries experience was evident regardless of time and dentition. The three indicators of inequality indicate a significant increase in income-related inequality in child deciduous caries experience during the decade. The income inequality in permanent caries experience did not change significantly. Income inequalities increased in deciduous teeth, but not in permanent teeth, among Australian children.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Dental caries experience by income and time. (a) Age- and sex-adjusted mean dmfs scores by quartiles of equivalized household income in the 1992/93 and 2002/03 studies. (b) Age- and sex-adjusted mean DMFS scores by quartiles of equivalized household income in the 1992/93 and 2002/03 studies. For both (a) and (b), quartiles of equivalized income: 1, lowest; 4, highest.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Concentration curves by time and dentition. (a) Concentration curve for deciduous caries experience in 1992/93. (b) Concentration curve for deciduous caries experience in 2002/03. (c) Concentration curve for permanent caries experience in 1992/93. (d) Concentration curve for permanent caries experience in 2002/03. aNegative Concentration Index (CI) reflects higher caries level among lower income children. bPercentage redistribution required from the highest to the lowest group to make estimated income-related inequality equal to zero (Koolman and van Doorslaer, 2004).
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