A question whether Irish people used the recommended pea-sized amount of toothpaste when washing their teeth provided valuable insight into socio-economic variations in health behaviour, a health promotion conference was told yesterday. Questions on eyesight and hearing gave similar indications.
As part of the national lifestyle survey, where more than 7,000 adults were questioned, it was found that while 23 per cent of people had a complete set of their own teeth, only 14 per cent used the recommended pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
More women than men used the recommended amount. Younger men, both with and without medical cards, used less toothpaste than recommended, according to Ms Sharon Friel, of the Department of Public Health in NUI Galway, which organised the conference.
It was found that almost a quarter of the Irish adult population had a complete set of their own teeth, she said, while a third had some form of dentures. Significantly more medical-card holders had dentures, which may be explained by a number of factors including poor diet, high-sugar foods and the fact that they receive free dental care perhaps resulting in more frequent appointments from the dentist, according to Ms Friel. A socio-economic factor was recognised in younger females, with lower social groups having more missing teeth.
Referring to eyesight, Ms Friel said 56 per cent of Irish adults reported wearing glasses or contact lenses all or some of the time, significantly more females than males. Women were also more likely to have their sight tested. Those in the lower socio-economic groups were less likely to wear glasses.
Just 2 per cent of the population reported wearing a hearing aid all or some of the time, but a high percentage of those who did not have the device said they had difficulty following a conversation. This was particularly the case among those in lower socio-economic groups.
Speaking about the theme of the conference "Reorienting the Health Services - Issues of Equity and Access", Prof Cecily Kelleher of the university's Department of Health Promotion, said the challenge facing those involved in public health was to reach those who most needed it. This was highlighted across the board with the results of the National Lifestyle Survey carried out by her department.
"If health promotion is reaching those already healthy then that is a paradox. The policies have not been focused enough where the need is," she said. Instead of offering health promotion programmes to the middle classes perhaps a reorientation was needed with particular involvement at primary care level to those most in need.