About 19%) of the sample reported
incomes of less than $20,000 while a
third of subjects reported incomes of
$51,000 or more. The mean number of
years of education for the total sample
was 13,4 (SD = 2,4). About 10% of subjects
had completed less than 12 years
of educafion while nearly 1 /3 had completed
more than 14 years of education.
Differences in periodontal status were
related to the socioeconomic factors. As
socioeconomic status improved, the
presence of plaque, calculus, and gingivitis
generally declined. Differences in
plaque, calculus, and gingivitis among
groups were stafistically significant.
Calculus, for example, was 2-3 x more
prevalent in the lowest income and education
groups compared to the highest
level groups in those categories. Pocket
depths were deeper and there was 2 x as
much attachment loss in the lowest education
group compared to the highest
education group. Generally, all measures
of periodontal status demonstrated
inverse relations with income and education
levels. 70%) of subjects reported
having dental insurance, but oral health
status was not found to be appreciably
different between those with or without
insurance.