J Public Health Dent [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Temporal trends in treatment delays for oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil: An analysis of the national database.
Borges MVC, Pereira EM, Santos RTP … +3 more , de Oliveira ICV, Thomaz EBAF, Rodrigues V
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39910902 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated regional trends in delays between the histological diagnosis of oral and oropharyngeal cancer and initiation of treatment across Brazil's federal units from 2013 to 2019. METHODS: A re...
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated regional trends in delays between the histological diagnosis of oral and oropharyngeal cancer and initiation of treatment across Brazil's federal units from 2013 to 2019. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted using secondary data from the Brazilian Health System Database (DATASUS) for the years 2013-2019. Variables collected included the year of treatment, sex, age group, anatomical location, disease stage, treatment method, and federal unit of Brazil. Thematic maps were generated, and time series were analyzed using joint-point regression. RESULTS: A total of 72,062 cases were included in the study. Majority of cases were of men (79.32%) and individuals older than 45 years (91.15%). Treatment was initiated earlier in younger patients, in cases of lip cancer, and among those who had undergone surgery. In 11 states, a significant decrease was observed in initiating treatment for oral cancer 60 days from diagnosis, whereas a significant increase was observed in three states. For oropharyngeal cancer, a significant decrease was observed in initiating treatment at 60 days from diagnosis in three states, whereas a significant increase was observed in five states. CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed a high degree of heterogeneity in treatment delays for oral and oropharyngeal cancer across Brazil from 2013 to 2019. The northern states of Brazil exhibited a high percentage of treatment delays exceeding 60 days.
Dental Care Use Among Children and Adolescents in Medicaid: Associations With State-Level Medicaid Policy Factors and Provider Availability.
Reynolds JC, Comnick C, Heeren T … +2 more , Damiano PC, Xie X
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Jun · PMID 39887365 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the relative strength of association of four state-level factors-Medicaid reimbursement, Medicaid adult dental benefit (MADB) generosity, dentist Medicaid participation, an...
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the relative strength of association of four state-level factors-Medicaid reimbursement, Medicaid adult dental benefit (MADB) generosity, dentist Medicaid participation, and dentist supply-on individual-level dental care use among children and adolescents in Medicaid. METHODS: This national cross-sectional study used 2018-2019 National Survey of Children's Health data to estimate dental care utilization among children aged 1-17 enrolled in Medicaid. Subgroup analyses were conducted by child age group. A hierarchical regression approach was used; a series of logistic regression models assessed relative effect sizes among the four state-level variables. RESULTS: Among children aged 1-17, and the age 1-3 subgroup, dentist Medicaid participation was positively associated with dental care use. Among children aged 4-11, children in states with Emergency/No dental coverage for adults had greater odds of having a dental visit compared to children in states with Extensive dental coverage. Among adolescents aged 12-17, no state-level factors were associated with dental utilization. CONCLUSIONS: There was considerable variation by age group in the associations of state-level factors on dental care use among children and adolescents in Medicaid. Dentist participation in Medicaid was associated with dental care use among very young children. State-level policy levers have the potential to improve access to dental care for children enrolled in Medicaid, and are critical to achieve improvement toward oral health equity for children.
Key factors associated with oral health services at Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Pang J, Surdu S, Fernando T … +1 more , Moore J
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Jun · PMID 39871815 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate changes in oral health services from 2012 to 2021 and identify factors influencing the number of different types of services directly provided by all Federally Qualified Health...
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate changes in oral health services from 2012 to 2021 and identify factors influencing the number of different types of services directly provided by all Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). METHODS: Data from the 2012-2021 Uniform Data System were analyzed using multilevel mixed-effect negative binomial regression models. These models explored associations between oral health staffing, federal grant revenue, and state Medicaid dental policies for adults, and the number of different types of oral health services provided at FQHCs. Regressions were adjusted for FQHC and state characteristics, and survey year. RESULTS: FQHC visits for any oral health service increased significantly with each additional full-time equivalent (FTE) in all types of oral health staffing, ranging between 0.8% and 13.7% (e.g., IRR = 1.137, 95% CI = 1.126-1.148 for preventive services by dental hygienists/therapists). Preventive dental visits increased significantly by 32% (IRR = 1.320, 95% CI = 1.028-1.694) for every 1% increase in the proportion of capital development grants to the total revenue. Although not statistically significant, FQHCs in states with extensive Medicaid dental coverage had a 2%-7% increase in all types of oral health services except emergency services compared to those in states with emergency-only coverage. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that increasing dental staffing, particularly of dental hygienists/therapists, enhances FQHCs' ability to provide preventive services. Capital development grants also positively influence preventive dental care delivery. Expanding Medicaid dental coverage may also increase service utilization, particularly among underserved groups, reducing oral health disparities.
Antibiotic Prescription Trends in Dentistry: A Descriptive Study Using Japan's National Database.
Hirayama K, Kanda N, Hashimoto H … +4 more , Yoshimoto H, Goda K, Mitsutake N, Hatakeyama S
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Jun · PMID 39846316 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Antibiotic prescription trends in dentistry in Japan remain underexplored. This study aimed to describe these trends and evaluate the impact of the national antimicrobial stewardship program launched in 2016....
OBJECTIVES: Antibiotic prescription trends in dentistry in Japan remain underexplored. This study aimed to describe these trends and evaluate the impact of the national antimicrobial stewardship program launched in 2016. METHODS: Using Japan's national administrative claims database from fiscal year (FY) 2015 to FY 2020, this cross-sectional study comprehensively analyzed trends in antibiotic prescription by dentists. Prescription rates were computed per 1000 inhabitants yearly and standardized to the FY 2015 national population. Changes in prescription rates were evaluated using Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: In FY 2020, the total number of antibiotic prescriptions was 134.4 per 1000 inhabitants per year, showing a 6% decline over the 6-year period (95% confidence interval, 6%-6%). Third-generation cephalosporins constituted 52.3% of dental antibiotic prescriptions in FY 2020, though the proportion had slightly decreased. In hospitals, prescriptions of third-generation cephalosporins decreased from 64.9% in 2015 to 20.3% in 2020, being replaced by penicillin (from 15.0% to 64.0%). However, in clinics, the magnitude of the change was small (third-generation cephalosporins, 60.5%-53.1%; penicillin, 10.2%-22.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Third-generation cephalosporins continue to dominate dental antibiotic prescriptions. The increase in penicillin use was much more pronounced in hospitals than in clinics. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship, particularly in clinics where the majority of dental care is provided, is crucial.
Who Could Be Targeted for Teledentistry in Japanese Clinics? A Questionnaire Survey of Patients.
Takeda A, Fukuda H
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Jun · PMID 39844673 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has fostered the use of teledentistry worldwide. However, teledentistry remains underutilized in Japan due to a lack of clarity regarding its target population. This study aimed to deter...
OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has fostered the use of teledentistry worldwide. However, teledentistry remains underutilized in Japan due to a lack of clarity regarding its target population. This study aimed to determine the current demands of patients of dental clinics in Saitama, Japan; enable dental care professionals to adopt teledentistry; and examine which patients could be targeted for teledentistry. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved a survey of dental patients who visited one of 28 participating dental clinics in September 2020 in Saitama, Japan. The patients were asked about their demographic information, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and teledentistry-including future demands (whether they would like to receive teledentistry consultations). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: Questionnaires were distributed to 1335 patients, 1312 of whom responded (response rate: 98.3%). The analysis included 835 of the 1227 valid responses to the question about the future demand for teledentistry ("demand" group: 299 patients; "unnecessary" group: 536 patients). The difference in the frequency of dental visits between the "demand" and "unnecessary" groups was significant (p = 0.04). The multiple logistic regression model identified "visited dentists only when necessary" as an independent contributor to the future demand for teledentistry (odds ratio = 1.60, 95% confidence interval = 1.00-2.57). CONCLUSIONS: Teledentistry presents an opportunity for dental care for those who do not habitually visit the dental clinic. Further research should explore the type of dental consultation required by infrequent dental patients and how teledentistry can meet these needs.
Long-Term Impact of Childhood Dental Attendance on Perceived Adult Oral Health: The British Cohort Study.
Mohd Khairuddin AN, Kang J, Gallagher JE
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Jun · PMID 39797710 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of childhood dental attendance pattern on self-rated oral health in middle adulthood among the British population. METHODS: Data from the 1970 British Cohort Study involving participants...
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of childhood dental attendance pattern on self-rated oral health in middle adulthood among the British population. METHODS: Data from the 1970 British Cohort Study involving participants born in England, Scotland, and Wales were used. Self-rated oral health was assessed at age 46. Childhood dental attendance patterns, derived from follow-up surveys at ages 5, 10, and 16, were classified as 'always', 'sometimes', or 'never' regular. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the effect of childhood dental attendance on adult oral health. Subgroup analyses by education level and oral hygiene practices examined potential variations across these factors. RESULTS: This study analyzed data from 4699 participants. An association was found between childhood dental attendance pattern and self-rated oral health in middle adulthood. The odds of reporting poor oral health were higher among those with 'sometimes' and 'never' regular dental attendance patterns than 'always' regular attenders. However, this association became insignificant after adjusting for covariates. Subgroup analyses revealed that 'sometimes' and 'never' regular attendance patterns were associated with higher odds of reporting poor oral health among participants who brushed less than twice daily and those with lower parental academic qualifications. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that childhood dental attendance is associated with perceived adult oral health, though this relationship diminished after adjusting for covariates. However, the association persisted among those who brushed less than twice daily and had lower parental academic qualifications. It underscores the importance of both demographic factors and health-related behaviors in determining long-term oral health outcomes.
Oral health articles in primary care journals: A bibliometric review.
Akhtar S, Silk H, Savageau JA … +1 more , Stevens GA
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39776395 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: Primary care lacks emphasis on oral health (OH) despite its major effects on one's overall health. This mixed-methods bibliometric study was conducted to assess the content of OH in primary care journals. MET...
OBJECTIVES: Primary care lacks emphasis on oral health (OH) despite its major effects on one's overall health. This mixed-methods bibliometric study was conducted to assess the content of OH in primary care journals. METHODS: Sixty-seven of the most influential journals were identified from primary care specialties and disciplines using Scopus CiteScore metrics and expert opinion. For each specialty, one journal was chosen as the "core journal." A search string was then developed to extract OH related articles found within a ten-year time frame (2012-2021) which were subsequently analyzed for OH content, trends, and article type. RESULTS: Of the 1784 articles extracted, 1068 met inclusion criteria. When compared with the total number of articles published by journals in any category, OH articles comprised less than 1% of total articles published between 2012 and 2021. Family medicine showed a borderline significant increase in OH articles over this time period while pediatrics showed a significant decline. Among the core journals, there was a statistically significant decline in OH articles published in geriatrics and pediatrics. Case reports and review articles were the most common type of OH article published. General oral lesions and population-specific OH delivery were the most common topics published. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the relatively low prevalence of OH articles in primary care journals and defines the most prevalent types of OH articles. Further studies are needed to understand the reasons for the lack of OH articles in primary care journals and the implications for primary care providers and learners.
Exploring the association between dental insurance coverage and dental care utilization and oral health among elderly Ontarians.
Badewy R, Aldossri M
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39748167 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: There has been an increasing interest in addressing the equity issue of accessing dental care for low-income elderly. This study aimed to estimate the marginal effects (ME) of dental insurance coverage for se...
OBJECTIVES: There has been an increasing interest in addressing the equity issue of accessing dental care for low-income elderly. This study aimed to estimate the marginal effects (ME) of dental insurance coverage for seniors on dental care utilization and oral health status outcomes. We also estimated the ME of dental insurance across income subgroups. METHODS: Data was sourced from the 2017/18 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Annual component. The ME analysis included individuals aged ≥65 years residing in Ontario (n = 10,030). ME were derived from multivariate probit regression models for dental care utilization and oral health status outcomes. RESULTS: Dental insurance increased the likelihood of reporting excellent/very good oral health and never avoiding foods due to oral problems by 6.9% (ME:6.9, 95% CI: 5.4-8.3) and 3.5% (ME: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.9-5.1), respectively. Dental insurance increased the likelihood of dental visits within the past year by 11.3% (ME: 11.3, 95% CI: 9.8-12.8) and decreased the likelihood of dental visits only for emergencies by 11.2% (ME: -11.2, 95% CI: -12.5 to -9.9). Compared to low- and high-income groups, dental insurance had the highest ME for the middle-income groups for dental visits within the past year (ME middle: 13.1, 95% CI: 10.5-15.7) and dental visits only for emergencies (ME middle: -14.4, 95% CI: -16.0 to -12.8). CONCLUSION: Dental insurance can improve the utilization of dental care and can help mitigate the negative effects of poor oral health in elderly populations.
How socioeconomic and structural barriers influence dental care among transgender people.
Clermont D, Nieto V, Alpert E … +2 more , Yao E, Cothron A
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39716455 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: While recent US policies restrict access to healthcare and resulting health disparities among the transgender community, little is known about oral health access and utilization among this population. This st...
BACKGROUND: While recent US policies restrict access to healthcare and resulting health disparities among the transgender community, little is known about oral health access and utilization among this population. This study assessed self-reported access to dental care among transgender adults living in the United States. METHOD: The study sample included 1,284,526 observations representing a weighted population of 290,000,163 from Behavioral Risk Factor and Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) datasets. Transgender identity was dichotomized and tested for association with having a dental visit in the past year. Pearson chi-square statistics were computed for associations and multivariate logistic regression assessed the odds of seeing a dentist in the last year. RESULTS: Nearly all socioeconomic and healthcare access covariates were associated with transgender identity. A significantly smaller proportion of transgender respondents reported established employment graduating high school, income over $50,000, non-Hispanic White racial and ethnic identities, and a past-year medical checkup (all p < 0.01). In all three models and across all analyses, transgender respondents had significantly lower odds of having seen a dentist in the past year, compared to cisgender people. CONCLUSIONS: To date, no research, aside from the present study, has assessed connections between transgender identity and oral healthcare access. The results of this analysis are consistent with other healthcare disparities that transgender people experience in that a smaller proportion of transgender respondents saw a dentist in the last year compared to cisgender respondents. Implications for establishing a foundation in future research to explore oral health access, utilization, and policy recommendations are discussed.
The association of social determinants of health with oral health status among patients of health resources and services administration funded health centers in the United States.
Pourat N, Lu C, Yu-Lefler H … +2 more , Picillo B, Wendt M
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39711071 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association of social determinants of health (SDOH) domains on oral health status. METHODS: We used the nationally representative 2022 Health Center Patient Survey and the 2021-2022 Ar...
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association of social determinants of health (SDOH) domains on oral health status. METHODS: We used the nationally representative 2022 Health Center Patient Survey and the 2021-2022 Area Health Resource File. We constructed seven domains on burden of SDOH disadvantage: (1) oral health behavior, (2) dental service use and access, (3) general health service use and access, (4) social, (5) economic, (6) contextual or physical environment, and (7) health condition indicators, and calculated a score per domain. We assessed the association between SDOH domains and four oral health measures: (1) poor self-assessed oral health, (2) low functional dentition, (3) acute dental need, and (4) chronic symptoms in logistic regressions. RESULTS: SDOH domains had different degrees of association with outcomes. Oral health behavior, health condition, and economic indicators were positively associated with all outcomes. General health service use and access, and contextual or physical environment were positively associated with all outcomes except for low functional dentition. Dental service use and access indicators were associated with higher likelihood of poor oral health (7.3%) and low functional dentition (2.5%). Social indicators were associated with higher likelihood of poor oral health (3.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of measuring the burden of SDOH disadvantage and including it in care provision. Findings indicate the need for more access through better integration of oral health within primary care, provision of nonclinical services to link patients with social services to promote oral health, and further support of these approaches by payer.
Training protocol and calibration of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System in a school-based clinical trial of elementary school-age children.
Yamal JM, Mofleh D, Chuang RJ … +6 more , Wang M, Johnson K, Garcia-Quintana A, Titiloye T, Nelson S, Sharma SV
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39647994 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: This paper demonstrates International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) training procedures and inter/intra-examiner reliability for lesion severity, activity, and filling criteria in an elementa...
OBJECTIVES: This paper demonstrates International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) training procedures and inter/intra-examiner reliability for lesion severity, activity, and filling criteria in an elementary school setting. METHODS: ICDAS training was conducted in December 2021 prior to a school-based cluster-randomized controlled trial. A total of 59 children (6-8 years old) in grades 1-2 from one school in Houston, Texas were recruited. Two licensed dentists received a 5-day training from an ICDAS trainer at the participating school. Thirty-eight children were evaluated at least once by each dental trainee, and 18 had repeat examinations. The ICDAS criteria were used to classify dental caries lesion severity (0-6), lesion activity (active/inactive), and filling material (0-9) of all visually available primary and permanent tooth surfaces. Inter and intra-examiner reliability between each dental trainee and the "gold standard" trainer was evaluated using Kappa statistics. RESULTS: For lesion severity, the examination indicated an inter-rater weighted Kappa of 0.77 (95% CI 0.71-0.82) and 0.82 (95% CI 0.77-0.87) for each trainee examiner compared to the gold standard examiner. The Kappas increased slightly from the first to second examinations (lesion-weighted Kappa: 0.76 to 0.84 and 0.82 to 0.84). The intra-rater reliability indicated excellent reliability for lesion and filling (0.83 to 0.94) and moderate for activity (0.58). CONCLUSIONS: ICDAS training/calibration were essential to ensure accuracy and reliability of dental caries measurements. The study demonstrated that ICDAS training of dentists with no prior criteria experience is feasible in a community setting and can lead to high reliability and repeatability.
Designing episode of care bundles to improve children's oral health care.
Love K, Harootunian G, Riley W
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39639582 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: There is growing momentum to introduce value-based payment (VBP) approaches into dentistry to help improve population oral health status. However, there are very few VBP models available for dentistry. This s...
OBJECTIVES: There is growing momentum to introduce value-based payment (VBP) approaches into dentistry to help improve population oral health status. However, there are very few VBP models available for dentistry. This study designs and analyzes the feasibility of introducing oral health episode of care (EOC) bundles for use by policy makers, payers, and dental providers. METHODS: An oral health EOC bundle is a standardized care process based on a set of best practices that has the potential to improve patient care quality when all bundle items are provided. We used a panel of dental experts to guide the design of two preventive EOC bundles for children, a comprehensive examination bundle and a periodic examination bundle. We then conducted a 12-year retrospective longitudinal analysis to simulate the completion rate of the EOC bundles for children receiving Medicaid benefits in Arizona from 2008 to 2019. RESULTS: An average of 805,229 children were enrolled annually in the Arizona Medicaid program across the 12-year period. Approximately 31% of the Medicaid enrolled children had a preventive dental visit twice a year, and 23% completed two preventive EOC bundles. On average, 126,602 (16%) of patients started the comprehensive examination bundle and 279,194 (35%) of patients started the periodic examination bundle. Overall completion rates for the Comprehensive Examination and Periodic Examination Bundles were 73% and 79% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to design a preventive oral health EOC bundle for children. The findings have implications for developing VBP approaches for oral health care.
Performance of atraumatic restorative treatment in primary care: A study in the elderly with home-based dental care.
Genaro LE, Saliba TA, Júnior AV … +2 more , Rosell FL, Moimaz SAS
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39631387 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in primary care among an elderly population in need of home-based dental care. METHODOLOGY: It is an observational clinical study, more speci...
OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in primary care among an elderly population in need of home-based dental care. METHODOLOGY: It is an observational clinical study, more specifically a descriptive cohort study. The status of these restorations was evaluated1 year after placement. The analysis of ART's clinical performance was conducted through the direct clinical evaluation method, following criteria previously defined in earlier studies. Data were tabulated into sets of descriptive categories, allowing classification into a frequency distribution according to the evaluation score. Success and failure results underwent statistical evaluation using the chi-square test, with a significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: Elderly individuals (n = 35) participated in the study, where 103 restorations were performed in the home environment. The majority of participants were women (68.6%) with an average age of 72.3 years, and 54.3% faced difficulties in motor mobility. All received dental care exclusively at home, and 45.7% used dentures. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0156) between the percentage of failures and successful cases (73.8%) without the need for ART replacement. The majority of ART interventions were on occlusal surfaces (44.9%), showing the highest percentage of restorations in good condition (84.8%), followed by mesio-occlusal (81.3%), while disto-occlusal cavities exhibited the highest failure rate (38.4%). CONCLUSION: The ART demonstrates satisfactory survival rates in elderly patients after 1 year. This restoration can be a viable alternative for the treatment of older adults, especially in situations that require domiciliary dental care.
Population health and public health: Commonalities and differences.
Bhosale AS, Urquhart O, Carrasco-Labra A … +3 more , Mathur MR, Rafia K, Glick M
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39622770 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: To explore the synergy between population health and public health by initiating a discourse about their interconnected roles, responsibilities, and approaches in achieving optimal health outcomes. OVERVIEW: P...
OBJECTIVE: To explore the synergy between population health and public health by initiating a discourse about their interconnected roles, responsibilities, and approaches in achieving optimal health outcomes. OVERVIEW: Population health and public health, although distinct, are interconnected disciplines critical for enhancing health outcomes. Population health focuses on analyzing health determinants and outcomes within specific groups, employing data to guide targeted interventions and policies. Public health, on the other hand, prioritizes broader preventive measures and community-wide interventions to safeguard health. Both fields benefit from a transdisciplinary approach that integrates strategies to address and improve health. Such integration is essential for addressing health disparities and improving the efficiency of health systems. By combining the analytical strengths of population health with the implementation capabilities of public health, a more comprehensive framework can be developed. These collaborations will not only enhance the effectiveness of health programs but also promote health equity by leveraging collective expertise and resources. They will facilitate the development of interventions that are both preventive and responsive, capable of addressing the upstream determinants of health and the immediate needs of communities. Such transdisciplinary efforts were demonstrated within the oral health field during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The synergy between population and public health can lead to robust health outcomes, fostering comprehensive health promotion and disease prevention strategies. By aligning research, practices, and policies, these integrated approaches will transcend traditional boundaries within the healthcare sector to build efficient health systems.
Starch intake and changes in dental caries among adults: A longitudinal study in Finland.
Jangda FH, Suominen AL, Lundqvist A … +3 more , Männistö S, Golkari A, Bernabé E
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39548971 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between starch intake (amount and type) and changes in dental caries among adults over 11 years. METHODS: Data from 1679 adults, aged 30 years and over, who participated in three co...
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between starch intake (amount and type) and changes in dental caries among adults over 11 years. METHODS: Data from 1679 adults, aged 30 years and over, who participated in three consecutive surveys in Finland were pooled for analysis. Participants completed a validated semi-structured 128-item food frequency questionnaire at baseline, from which total starch intake (g/day and % energy intake) and the intake (g/day) of seven food groups high in starch (potatoes, potato products, roots and tubers, refined grains, pasta, wholegrains, and legumes) were estimated. Dental caries was determined during clinical examinations and summarized using the DMFT score, which was treated as a repeated outcome. The association between baseline starch intake and 11-year-change in DMFT score was tested in linear mixed-effects models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, behaviors, sugar intake, and health status. RESULTS: The mean DMFT score was 21.9 (95%CI: 21.6, 22.2) in 2000 (baseline), increasing by 0.47 (95% CI: 0.38, 0.56) in 2004/05, and additionally by 0.33 (95%CI: 0.20, 0.45) in 2011. Total starch intake was not associated with change in DMFT. This finding was similar irrespective of how starch intake was expressed (g/day or %EI). Of the seven food groups evaluated, only the intake of pasta was inversely associated with the DMFT score at baseline, but not with the change in DMFT over time. CONCLUSION: Neither the amount nor the type of starch intake was associated with changes in dental caries over 11 years among Finnish adults.
The effect of water filter pitchers on the mineral concentration of tap water.
Hazzazi LW, Soto-Rojas AE, Martinez-Mier EA … +3 more , Nassar HM, Eckert GJ, Lippert F
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39505386 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of water filter pitchers on the concentration of different minerals in tap water. METHODS: Nine water filter pitchers (A-I) were chosen based on consumer preferences and Amazon revie...
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of water filter pitchers on the concentration of different minerals in tap water. METHODS: Nine water filter pitchers (A-I) were chosen based on consumer preferences and Amazon reviews. Each filter was tested for its ability to modify the concentrations of fluoride, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in tap water. Tap water samples were collected before and after filtration, at various intervals (1, 5, 10, 30, 50, 75, and 100 L) during filtration, and analyzed using an ion-specific electrode (fluoride) and atomic absorption spectrometry (other minerals). Statistical analyses were conducted to compare filtered and unfiltered water mineral concentrations. RESULTS: Water filter pitcher effect: Filters F (p < 0.001) and G (p = 0.030) decreased fluoride concentrations. All filters except I (p = 0.235) and H (p = 0.717) decreased calcium concentrations (p < 0.01). Filters E (p = 0.018), D (p = 0.014), and G (p = 0.010) decreased magnesium concentrations. Filters I (p = 0.028) and D (p = 0.009) increased potassium concentrations. Filter A (p = 0.002) increased sodium concentrations, while C (p = 0.034) decreased sodium concentrations. Effect of filter aging: All filters affected mineral concentrations over time but to varying extents. Filter G had the most pronounced effect on reducing mineral concentrations compared to all others. No filter was able to completely remove fluoride from tap water, contrary to the claims made by three manufacturers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlighted that water filter pitchers vary greatly in their ability to affect mineral concentrations in tap water during their use. Further research is needed to develop more effective water treatment solutions.
Dietary questions in caries risk assessment and their relationship to caries.
Delaney C, Warren J, Rysavy OA … +1 more , Marshall T
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Jun · PMID 39377152 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: This retrospective chart review evaluated the relationship between specific dietary questions used in caries risk assessment and planned restorative treatment among patients attending a dental school's clinic....
OBJECTIVE: This retrospective chart review evaluated the relationship between specific dietary questions used in caries risk assessment and planned restorative treatment among patients attending a dental school's clinic. METHODS: Records for 6,218 adult patients attending the University of Iowa College of Dentistry who completed caries risk assessments and comprehensive oral examinations during 2018-2019 were included. The number of planned caries restorative treatments were compared between groups based on responses to specific dietary questions on the caries risk assessment. Analyses included chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and logistic regression for factors associated with caries treatments. RESULTS: About 20% of subjects needed caries treatment, and regression analyses found that younger age, having unstructured meals, drinking sugared beverages daily, and drinking them for more than 30 min were significantly (p < 0.01) associated with having caries. CONCLUSIONS: Specific and focused questions on dietary practices are strongly associated with caries, and may be useful in improving caries risk assessments.
The relationships between unmet social needs, oral health measures, and dental service utilization in a pediatric population.
Riley A, Dolce M, Peng J … +2 more , Casamassimo P, Amini H
J Public Health Dent · 2025 Mar · PMID 39367807 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) have been linked to health, including oral health and oral health behaviors. Objectives of this retrospective records review were to evaluate the relationships between sel...
OBJECTIVES: Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) have been linked to health, including oral health and oral health behaviors. Objectives of this retrospective records review were to evaluate the relationships between self-reported unmet social needs and (1) oral health measures and (2) dental service utilization in a pediatric population at a hospital-based dental clinic. METHODS: Children 2-5 years of age whose families had completed a SDoH survey and who had an encounter with one United States (U.S.) urban children's hospital dental clinic within 6 months (± 3 months) of the survey date were included. A chart review was performed, and information was collected about the child's (1) oral health (e.g., plaque level, presence of caries) and (2) dental service utilization (e.g., no-show rates, number of dental surgeries). The data of patients with one or more parental/caretaker-reported unmet social needs were compared with that of patients with no unmet social needs. RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were met by 2646 children. Those with unmet social needs had significantly higher no-show rates at scheduled appointments than those without unmet social needs (p-value <0.001). Patients who identified as African/Black were more likely to report unmet social needs. There was no statistically significant difference in oral health measures of patients with or without unmet social needs. CONCLUSIONS: Children in this population demonstrated varying associations between unmet social needs, health measures, and health behaviors, suggesting a likely complicated association between unmet social needs and health.
Rising trend of dentist-prescribed antibiotics in Brazil: 2011-2021.
Cruz AJS, Martins MAP, Batista VS … +5 more , Santos JS, Santos TRD, de Castilho LS, Sohn W, Abreu MHNG
J Public Health Dent · 2024 Dec · PMID 39364574 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: To describe the trends in antibiotic prescribing by dental practitioners and to investigate the relationship between these trends and some factors of public oral health services in Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil....
OBJECTIVES: To describe the trends in antibiotic prescribing by dental practitioners and to investigate the relationship between these trends and some factors of public oral health services in Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. METHODS: This was a time-series analysis of antibiotics prescribed by dental practitioners between January 2011 and December 2021. The outcome variables were number of defined daily doses (DDD) and DDD/1000 population/year in a sample of cities in MG. Covariates were public oral healthcare factors, such as coverage, estimates of dental procedures, and frequency of dental pain. Linear time-series regression models were used to examine trends and the influence of covariates on antibiotic prescribing. RESULTS: Overall, the number of prescriptions increased by 334.69% between 2011 and 2021, with amoxicillin being the most commonly prescribed drug (78.53%). The number of DDD for all antibiotics increased from 17,147.13 to 77,346.67 and the average DDD/1000 inhabitants/year was 126.66 (SD: 130.28). The linear time-series regression model showed that for each one-year increase, the average log DDD/1000 inhabitants increased by 0.35 (standard error = 0.07, p < 0.001). No covariates were found to be associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In Minas Gerais, Brazil, a significant upward trend was observed in the number of prescriptions and the number of DDD of antibiotics prescribed by dental practitioners. No influence of factors related to public oral healthcare services on the outcome was observed, thereby emphasizing the need for further research on factors influencing medication use in dental practice.
Associations between disability type and untreated dental decay among community dwelling US adults.
Singh I, Li X, Iafolla TJ … +2 more , Boroumand S, Alraqiq H
J Public Health Dent · 2024 Dec · PMID 39253777 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Individuals with disabilities face elevated risks of adverse oral health outcomes compared with the general population, including worse periodontal health, increased edentulism, and untreated dental decay. Giv...
OBJECTIVE: Individuals with disabilities face elevated risks of adverse oral health outcomes compared with the general population, including worse periodontal health, increased edentulism, and untreated dental decay. Given the varied impacts of different disabilities on people's health and well-being, this study aims to investigate diverse associations between untreated decay and cognitive, physical, emotional, and sensory disabilities among US adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed questionnaire and clinical examination data on 7084 adults (≥20 years) from the 2015-18 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles. Sociodemographics, oral health behaviors, health conditions, and disability were all examined. The prevalence of tooth decay was calculated as the proportion of adults with untreated decay. Survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between disability and untreated decay. RESULTS: In general, untreated decay was more than twice as prevalent in individuals with three or more disabilities as in those without any disabilities (34.5% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, lack of functional dentition was the most significant predictor of untreated decay prevalence (adjusted odds ratio: 2.97, 95% CI: 2.37-3.72). Other significant factors were younger age (20-44), non-Hispanic black race or ethnicity, low-income status, having an underlying chronic condition, not having a past-year dental visit, symptomatic dental visits, and current tobacco use. CONCLUSION: No associations were found between disability type (cognitive, emotional, physical, and sensory) and untreated decay among community-dwelling US adults. Several health-related, social, and behavioral factors emerged as primary predictors of untreated decay. Further research is needed to explore disability types and dental caries determinants.
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