Third molor extractions among Australian adults: findings from the 2013 National Dental Telephone Interview Survey

Objectives: To identify, over the previous 12 months, whether: (i) dental insurance is associated with a higher number of third molar extractions (TME); (ii) single versus multiple TME is associated with self-rated oral health; and (iii) TME when 18–25 years of age is associated with fewer days absent from work because of dental problems. Methodology: Australia's 2013 National Dental Telephone Interview Survey, which included: socio-demographics; and number of extractions, reasons for extractions, self-rated oral health and days absent from work because of dental problems, all in the past 12 months. Results: The majority of TME recipients were female [56.6%, standard error (SE) = 6.0%], 18–25 years of age (63.0%, SE = 5.4%), held a tertiary qualification (73.9%, SE = 5.4%), had a total annual household income of ≥$60,000 (58.3%, SE = 6.4%), were dentally insured (52.6%, SE = 6.2%) and received multiple TME (60.9%, SE = 8.5%). Number of TME was associated with having dental insurance [B = 0.97: 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.5–1.5] and days of work absence because of dental problems (B = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.26–1.94). Receiving single TME versus multiple TME was not associated with self-rated oral health (B = −0.25; 95% CI: −0.76 to 0.25). Receiving TME when 18–25 years of age versus when older than 25 years of age was not associated with days absent from work because of dental problems (B = 0.48; 95% CI: −0.37 to 2.33). Conclusion: Dental insurance was associated with a higher TME count without improving self-reported oral health in the short-term. Using age as a justification for prophylactic TME might be questionable because, receiving TME when 18–25 years of age versus when older than 25 years of age did not reduce days absent from work because of dental problems.