EPI-Norr 1991, 2001 and 2011

EPI-Norr 1991, 2001 and 2011 are three cross-sectional studies based on surveys, in combination with clinical examination of randomly selected individuals in different age groups in Norrbotten.
In 1991, the study included 35-, 50- and 65-year-olds, and was in 2001 supplemented with 75-year-olds and in 2011 with 85-year-olds in order to be able to follow the health development in the groups over time. In all three sub-studies, approximately 10 percent of the population in the age groups was invited to participate.
With the invitation the questionnaire was delivered and later a reminder. Those who did not answer the questionnaire during the survey instead answered the questions orally. A limited number of pre-calibrated dental care teams who travelled around the county has conducted the clinical trials.
The material contains information on the subjects' answers to questions about health, perceived mouth and teeth problems, experiences of dental care and treatment, and clinical trial data. There are also data from a healthcare assessment that took into account the individual's wishes to take care of the healthcare needs identified by the dentist.
The Dental Care Act (Tandvårdslagen) states that the county councils/regions will plan dental care based on the needs of the population. The purpose of EPI-Norr has been to chart the residents' experiences, needs and wishes, to follow the health development and thus to make reliable forecasts for the future.
An important issue that the studies would help to answer was whether adult oral health in different age groups developed similarly to the health of children and adolescents.

Purpose:

The purpose is to acquire knowledge about the oral health of the adult population, the health development and the healthcare needs to provide a basis for deciding and planning the future of dental care in the county Norrbotten. Show less..