Overview of key data sources: Adult Dental Health Survey (ADHS)

Organisation responsible: The Adult Dental Health Survey (ADHS) was commissioned by the four UK Health Departments. The survey is carried out by the Social Survey Division of the Office for National Statistics, in collaboration with the Dental Schools at the Universities of Birmingham, Dundee, Newcastle and Wales. The Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency carries out the fieldwork in Northern Ireland.

Background and purpose: The purpose of the survey is to provide information on the current state of adults' teeth and oral health in the four countries of the UK, and to measure changes in oral health since 1988.

Survey years/frequency: The 1998 survey was the fourth in a series of national dental surveys that have been carried out every 10 years since 1968.

Survey content: The condition of the natural teeth and supporting tissues; dental experiences, attitudes and knowledge, dental care and oral hygiene; the state and use made of dentures worn in conjunction with natural teeth; percentage of those who have lost all of their natural teeth, and their use of dentures; and the extent to which oral health targets set by government are being met.

Target population: Adult population (aged 16 and over) of Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI).

Sample size: In 1998: 4,960 (GB), 580 (NI).

Response rate: In 1998: 74% of the target sample were interviewed, while 72% of the target sample had dental examinations.

Method of data collection: There are two elements to the survey: a face-to-face interview to collect information on the respondent's oral health behaviour, attitudes and opinions; and for respondents with some natural teeth, a home dental examination. The dental examination is carried out by a specially trained dentist recruited from the Community Dental Health Service. An interviewer accompanies the dentist and records the details of the examination directly into a laptop computer.

Smallest geographical unit reported: Government Office Region (North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West, Wales, Scotland).

Availability of results and further information: Results from the ADHS are published every 10 years by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Further information on the ADHS, including survey publications, is available under Office for National Statistics.  Future adult dental health data will be available via the Scottish Health Survey, with first results due in 2010.