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Riley JL III, Gilbert GH et al. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2006; 34: 289–298

Behavioural factors are heavily involved in common oral diseases. In a longitudinal dental care study in Florida, 839 of 873 subjects gave full interview data at baseline; at 24 months, 739 remained in the study, and 723 were examined. Four clusters were identified by analysis of attitude and beliefs: favourable attitudes toward dentists and dental care (C1; n = 351), frustrated believers in dental care (C2; 101), negative attitudes about dentists and cost concerns (C3; 214), and pessimistic about personal and professional oral care (C4; 173).

There were significant socioeconomic differences between groups, but different race, gender, age and education levels were represented in them all. Race and educational status were the best sociological discriminators between groups. The best overall dental health was found in C1 with the worst in C3. From baseline to 24 months, C3 showed the least preventive care and the greatest increase in oral disease. The authors consider that the nature of the groups identified may help explain some of the differences in oral health.