Talla S, Flowerday C, Dickinson M
… +1 more, Braun PA
J Public Health Dent
· 2024 Mar · PMID 38098277
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OBJECTIVES: The Rocky Mountain Network for Oral Health (RoMoNOH) promotes the delivery of preventive oral health services (POHS) to children receiving care at community health centers (CHCs) in Arizona, Colorado, Montana...OBJECTIVES: The Rocky Mountain Network for Oral Health (RoMoNOH) promotes the delivery of preventive oral health services (POHS) to children receiving care at community health centers (CHCs) in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. One POHS is oral health goal setting (OHGS). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of OHGS during medical visits on parent/caregiver-reported oral health behaviors (OHBs). METHODS: The RoMoNOH implementation team trained CHC healthcare providers in POHS, including caries risk assessment, oral health education, fluoride varnish application, dental referrals, and parent/caregiver oral health engagement. To promote parents' oral health engagement, healthcare providers were trained in motivational interviewing (MI) with OHGS at medical visits. To evaluate the impact of MI with OHGS on parent/caregiver OHBs, a healthcare team member invited parents/caregivers to complete a baseline survey after their medical visits. The evaluation team sent a follow-up survey after 10-14 days. The surveys measured parents/caregivers' goals, confidence in goal attainment, OHBs, and sociodemographics; the follow-up survey also measured OHGS attainment. Improvement in parent/caregiver-reported OHBs was tested with a paired t-test and unadjusted and adjusted multiple linear regression. RESULTS: In total, 426 parents/caregivers completed the baseline survey; 184 completed both surveys. OHBs, including toothbrushing frequency, stopping bed bottles, drinking tap water, and brushing with fluoride toothpaste improved over the evaluation interval. After adjusting for covariates, brushing with fluoride toothpaste (p = 0.01), drinking tap water (p = 0.03), and removing bed bottles (p = 0.03) improved significantly. CONCLUSION: MI with OHGS with parents/caregivers during medical visits has potential to improve OHBs on behalf of their children.
Testa A, Mungia R, van den Berg A
… +1 more, C Hernandez D
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Sep · PMID 38073040
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OBJECTIVES: Although food deserts are known to impact health and healthcare utilization, no research has investigated the relationship between food deserts and dental care utilization. This study aimed to fill this gap b...OBJECTIVES: Although food deserts are known to impact health and healthcare utilization, no research has investigated the relationship between food deserts and dental care utilization. This study aimed to fill this gap by assessing the relationship between living in a food desert and self-reported dental care utilization in the past year. METHODS: Data are from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 10,495). The association between food deserts and dental care utilization was assessed using covariate-adjusted multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Living in a food desert was associated with higher odds of not utilizing dental care in the past year. This association was concentrated among high-poverty areas (≥20% poverty rate). CONCLUSIONS: The current study is the first to assess the relationship between living in a food desert and dental care utilization. The findings demonstrate that individuals living in low-income urban food deserts may be at increased risk for not utilizing dental care.
J Public Health Dent
· 2024 Mar · PMID 38031495
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OBJECTIVE: To examine the association among barriers to dental care services, dentition groups, and self-reported oral health status for Medicare beneficiaries. METHODS: We used data from the 2017 to 2018 National Health...OBJECTIVE: To examine the association among barriers to dental care services, dentition groups, and self-reported oral health status for Medicare beneficiaries. METHODS: We used data from the 2017 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included participants aged ≥65 years who were enrolled in Medicare and had completed the oral health exam. We created a dentition group variable using the detailed dental examination data to account for the presence of natural, replaced, removable, or missing teeth. Through bivariate and logistic analyses, we explored the relationship between barriers to receiving dental care services, dentition groups, and reported oral and general health statuses, along with other control variables. RESULTS: For the total Medicare population as well as in the four subgroup analyses, we showed that those with barriers to dental care services were more likely to report fair or poor oral health status. Those who were edentulous, had complete dentures, or had less than a full mouth of teeth had greater barriers and worse oral and general health than did those with all-natural teeth. Among those who reported fair or poor general health, those with less than a full mouth of teeth showed similar levels of barriers to dental care services and worse perceived oral health than did those without any teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Helping the 65 years and older population retain their teeth in good condition will improve their overall health. Investment in oral hygiene and health for the current and future Medicare populations could improve their overall health.
Hopcraft MS, McGrath R, Stormon N
… +2 more, Tavella G, Parker G
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Sep · PMID 38018025
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BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with burnout in Australian dental practitioners. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1483 Australian dental practitioners was conducted from Oct to...BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with burnout in Australian dental practitioners. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1483 Australian dental practitioners was conducted from Oct to Dec 2021. Participants reported burnout using the Sydney Burnout Measure, and aspects of mental health including psychological distress, depression, and anxiety disorders. Predictors of burnout were explored using a generalized linear model with a stepped approach including demographic, health and risk factor variables. RESULTS: One in four participants were classified as likely to be experiencing burnout. Burnout was associated with working in a regional/rural location (β = 2.82, p < 0.001), an academic/non-clinical role (β = 5.01, p = 0.037), more years of experience as a dental practitioner (β = 0.08, p = 0.022), a current diagnosis of depression (β = 2.38, p = 0.049), moderate/severe psychological distress (β = 7.16, p < 0.001), poor self-rated physical health (β = 5.84, p < 0.001) and increasing alcohol consumption (β = 0.17, p = 0.020). Participants who scored high on resilience (β = -0.23, p = 0.002) or perfectionism (β = -0.24, p < 0.001) had lower burnout scores. CONCLUSION: Australian dental practitioners appear to be at high risk of burnout which may impact on their health and wellbeing and ability to deliver patient care. There is a need for support services to manage burnout and education to address workplace and environmental factors that may contribute to burnout.
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Sep · PMID 37965907
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OBJECTIVES: Perceived Social Status (PSS) is a measure of cumulative socioeconomic circumstances that takes perceived self-control into account. It is hypothesized to better capture social class compared to socioeconomic...OBJECTIVES: Perceived Social Status (PSS) is a measure of cumulative socioeconomic circumstances that takes perceived self-control into account. It is hypothesized to better capture social class compared to socioeconomic status (SES) measures (i.e., education, occupation, and income). This study examined the association between PSS and dental utilization, comparing the strength of associations between dental utilization and PSS and SES measures among a low-income adult Medicaid population. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered to a random sample of low-income adults in Iowa, United States with Medicaid dental insurance (N = 18,000) in the spring of 2018. Respondents were asked about PSS, dental utilization, and demographics. A set of multivariable logistic regression models examined the relative effects of PSS and SES measures on dental utilization, controlling for age, sex, health literacy, whether the respondent was aware they had dental insurance, transportation, and perceived need of dental care. RESULTS: The adjusted response rate was 25%, with a final sample size of 2252. Mean PSS (range 1-10) was 5.3 (SD 1.9). PSS was significantly associated with dental utilization (OR = 1.11; CI = 1.05, 1.18) when adjusting for control variables, whereas other SES measures-education, employment, and income-were not. CONCLUSIONS: PSS demonstrated a small positive association with dental utilization. Results support the relative importance of PSS, in addition to SES measures, as PSS may capture aspects of social class that SES measures do not. Results suggest the need for future research to consider the effects of PSS on oral health outcomes and behaviors.
Ruiz B, Broadbent JM, Thomson WM
… +4 more, Ramrakha S, Moffitt TE, Caspi A, Poulton R
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Sep · PMID 37920118
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OBJECTIVES: Childhood caries is associated with poorer self-rated general health in adulthood, but it remains unclear whether that holds for physical health and aging. The aim of this study was to identify whether age-5...OBJECTIVES: Childhood caries is associated with poorer self-rated general health in adulthood, but it remains unclear whether that holds for physical health and aging. The aim of this study was to identify whether age-5 caries is associated with (a) biomarkers for poor physical health, and (b) the pace of aging (PoA) by age 45 years. METHODS: Participants are members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study birth cohort. At age 45, 94.1% (n = 938) of those still alive took part. Data on age-5 caries experience and age-45 health biomarkers were collected. The PoA captures age-related decline across the cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, immune, dental and pulmonary systems from age 26 to 45 years. We used (a) generalized estimating equations to examine associations between age-5 caries and poor physical health by age 45 years, and (b) ordinary least squares regression to examine whether age-5 caries was associated with the PoA. Analyses adjusted for sex, perinatal health, childhood SES and childhood IQ. RESULTS: High caries experience at age-5 was associated with higher risk for some metabolic abnormalities, including BMI ≥30, high waist circumference, and high serum leptin. Those with high caries experience at age-5 were aging at a faster rate by age 45 years than those who had been caries-free. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health is essential for wellbeing. Poor oral health can be an early signal of a trajectory towards poor health in adulthood. Management for both conditions should be better-integrated; and integrated population-level prevention strategies should be foundational to any health system.
Ryan JB, Scott T, McDonough R
… +3 more, Schindler D, Irwin SP, Badner VM
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Sep · PMID 37906178
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OBJECTIVE: To determine if relationships exist between the total dental treatment needs of incoming Air Force recruits and non-clincal demographic and oral-health related factors. METHODS: Data from the 2018 Air Force Re...OBJECTIVE: To determine if relationships exist between the total dental treatment needs of incoming Air Force recruits and non-clincal demographic and oral-health related factors. METHODS: Data from the 2018 Air Force Recruit Oral Health Study (ROHS) was used, an anonymized sample of 1330 AF recruits that included a comprehensive oral exam and survey collecting demographic and oral health behavior information. The primary outcome variable was the total number of dental treatment needs for recruits, and independent predictor variables included select socio-demographic factors and wellness behaviors. Along with descriptive statistics, a multivariable negative binomial regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between variables with a normalized weight making the final results representative of all incoming recruits. RESULTS: The final adjusted analysis showed that an incoming recruit's self-rated oral health, dental coverage prior to enlistment, need for a dental visit within the last 12 months, sugar intake, and tobacco use increased their risk for dental treatment needs. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to assess the relationship between specific risk indicators and increased dental treatment needs while adjusting other related covariates. Factors associated with dental treatment needs were identified that provide Air Force leaders with actionable information to directly improve recruit oral health and military readiness by identifying new airmen at the highest risk for excessive dental care needs while at basic military training.
Ogwo C, Brown G, Warren J
… +2 more, Caplan D, Levy S
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Sep · PMID 37776306
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OBJECTIVES: To assess the caries incidence from late adolescence to early adulthood and to identify the factors associated with caries incidence. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of longitudinal caries data of young...OBJECTIVES: To assess the caries incidence from late adolescence to early adulthood and to identify the factors associated with caries incidence. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of longitudinal caries data of young adults aged 17-23 from the Iowa Fluoride Study cohort. The inclusion criteria required completion of dental exams at both ages 17 and 23 and having cumulative exposure (AUC) variables data for at least 8 out of the 11 time periods between ages 17 and 23. Mean imputation was used to handle the missing explanatory variable data. Multiple linear regressions were conducted using a generalized linear model to assess the effects of sociodemographic and behavioral/dietary variables on the age 17-23 adjusted cavitated caries (D MFS) increment (AdjCI ). Multicollinearity was assessed using the variance inflation factor (VIF) and the final model was selected based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) using backward selection and the net effects calculated. RESULTS: The mean AdjCI was 2.08 (SD = 4.02). The net effects (main effect plus interactions) of higher composite socioeconomic status, higher combined daily fluoride intake, higher frequency of milk intake, lower amount of sugar-sweetened beverages intake, and lower age 17 dental caries counts were associated with lower mean AdjCI . CONCLUSION: The incidence of caries from age 17 to 23 in this study was low. This study suggests and reinforces the need to continue to advocate for caries preventive strategies such as fluoride use, encouraging milk intake, and reducing sugar-sweetened beverage intakes.
Archer HR, Brian Z, Blackburn B
… +1 more, Weintraub JA
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Sep · PMID 37770227
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OBJECTIVES: Safety net clinics (SNC) provide healthcare to vulnerable populations and SNC websites are an important information source. In North Carolina (NC), all 100 counties are Dental Health Professional Shortage Are...OBJECTIVES: Safety net clinics (SNC) provide healthcare to vulnerable populations and SNC websites are an important information source. In North Carolina (NC), all 100 counties are Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, yet 91 of 317 SNCs are non-dental (ND-SNC). Our goals were to: (1) assess the presence and type of oral health (OH) information on ND-SNC websites; (2) develop and distribute an OH education webpage to ND-SNCs and track its use. METHODS: The website search function was used with common dental terms to evaluate the presence of OH content on each ND-SNC website. Key representatives from ND-SNCs were surveyed to assess patient care and willingness to implement an OH webpage. Webpage topics included oral hygiene and a map of NC dentists that provide services to low-income patients. Google Analytics was used to track consumer webpage engagement including acquisition source (AS), average time on page (AT), and unique page views (UPV). RESULTS: Of the 91 ND-SNCs websites, none contained OH education; 15% had information about nearby dental providers. For the 40 ND-SNCs using our webpage, January-December 2022, the primary AS for new webpage users was referrals; 72.5% of users visited directly from ND-SNC websites. Statewide AT was 2 min and 30 s (SD = 58 s), 2.88 times longer than the 52-s threshold marketing experts use to establish genuine user engagement. There were 1364 UPVs statewide for 2022. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a need for OH education content on ND-SNC websites, as users are searching for and engaging with this information.
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Sep · PMID 37724855
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OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of socioeconomic, behavioral, and psychological factors on oral health status and oral health-related quality of life in Myanmar adults. METHODS: Data were from a conve...OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of socioeconomic, behavioral, and psychological factors on oral health status and oral health-related quality of life in Myanmar adults. METHODS: Data were from a convenience sample of Myanmar adults who are from a township health center in Yangon city. Face-to-face interviews using a paper-based questionnaire in the Myanmar language and clinical oral examinations were performed at the health center. Mann-Whitney U test and linear regressions were used to assess the association of socio-demographic, behavioral, and psychological variables with oral health outcomes. RESULTS: In socio-demographic variables, significant associations were observed in individual income with periodontal pocket and OHIP-14, and history of COVID-19 infection with OHIP-14. However, there were no associations between behavioral factors and oral health outcomes. After adjustment for sex, age, educational level, and individual income, the depression subscale was statistically significant with the number of present teeth, decayed teeth, decayed, missing, and filled teeth, and OHIP-14. The anxiety subscale remained significant with periodontal pocket, but no stress subscale was associated with oral health outcomes. CONCLUSION: The experiences of oral health status were high, and the oral health-related quality of life was unfavorable in Myanmar adults. A large proportion of them suffers from psychological distress. Additionally, individuals with lower income and who experienced a history of COVID-19 infection were susceptible to poor oral health-related quality of life. Psychological distress indicates a higher risk for oral health problems in Myanmar adults.
Tsai C, Savran A, Chau Y
… +3 more, Hurrell L, Forsyth C, Kumar H
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Sep · PMID 37675863
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BACKGROUND: This pilot study aimed to characterize the experience, satisfaction, and views on feasibility of an oral health primary prevention telehealth service at a public dental hospital's department of pediatric dent...BACKGROUND: This pilot study aimed to characterize the experience, satisfaction, and views on feasibility of an oral health primary prevention telehealth service at a public dental hospital's department of pediatric dentistry, from the viewpoint of patients, carers, and clinicians. METHODS: Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire for parents/guardians, a focus group for clinicians; and were summarized using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, analysis of variance, and by thematic analysis for the qualitative data. RESULTS: Thirty-seven parents/guardians and four clinicians were included. The mean patient age was 5 years (SD = 3.3). Over half of the parents (51.4%) were aged 30-39 years. There was high satisfaction (97.3%) and acceptability (81.1%) of the telehealth service. Native English-speakers were significantly more likely to agree that telehealth was an acceptable mode of preventive care and that they would use it again (p = 0.033). Parents reporting difficulty traveling to dental appointments were significantly more likely to score favorably in categories of usefulness, technical quality, and satisfaction relating to telehealth (all p < 0.001). Important themes from the clinician focus group included specific benefits for patients with special needs or who live rurally, reduced stress on families, and an enhanced focus on prevention. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest ongoing benefits of providing preventive oral health services as an adjunct to face-to-face care, especially to the identified subset of patients who will benefit the most.
Wilson GM, McGregor JC, Gibson G
… +3 more, Jurasic MM, Evans CT, Suda KJ
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Sep · PMID 37667872
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OBJECTIVES: Twelve percent of the U.S. population has a dental implant. Although rare, implant loss/complications can impact quality of life. This study evaluated indicators for implant loss/complications. METHODS: Veter...OBJECTIVES: Twelve percent of the U.S. population has a dental implant. Although rare, implant loss/complications can impact quality of life. This study evaluated indicators for implant loss/complications. METHODS: Veterans with dental implants placed between 2015 and 2019 were included. Implant loss/complications were defined as implant removal or peri-implant defect treatment within 90 days. Binomial logistic regression identified factors associated with implant loss/complications. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2019, 48,811 dental implants were placed in 38,246 Veterans. Implant loss/complications was identified for 202 (0.4%) implants. In adjusted analyses, Veterans aged 50-64 years (OR = 1.92 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06, 3.46)) and ≥65 (OR = 2.01 (95% CI: 1.14, 3.53)) were more likely to have implant loss/complications. History of oral infection, tooth location, and number of implants placed all significantly increased the odds of loss/complications. CONCLUSION: Dental implant loss/complications are rare outcomes. Older age, location of implant, and the number of implants placed during a visit were significant predictors of loss/complication.
Lin CE, Nguyen TM, McGrath R
… +2 more, Patterson A, Hall M
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Jul · PMID 37584232
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BACKGROUND: Efforts to progress oral healthcare reform can be challenging with competing interests of governments and service providers to achieve the intended outcomes. The value-based health care approach has been adop...BACKGROUND: Efforts to progress oral healthcare reform can be challenging with competing interests of governments and service providers to achieve the intended outcomes. The value-based health care approach has been adopted in many areas of healthcare but has had limited applications to oral healthcare systems. Dental Health Services Victoria, an Australian state government funded entity, commenced its journey to value-based health care in 2016, to shift away from traditional dental service models that reward activity and volume towards a stronger emphasis on value and outcomes. AIMS: To maintain the value-based health care agenda focus, Dental Health Services Victoria developed three key principles, which can be adopted by other organisations engaged in reforming oral healthcare, to improve the oral health for the population it serves. MATERIALS & METHODS: In 2018, Dental Health Services Victoria developed a value-based health care framework, which has informed strategic organisation priorities for action. In 2023, the following three key principles are identified as being essential to support the operationalisation and development of effective models of oral healthcare: Principle 1 - Care is co-designed with the person or population Principle 2 - Prevention and early intervention are prioritised. Principle 3 - Consistent measurement of health outcomes and costs are embedded. DISCUSSION: The exploration of the three key principles is an important communication tool to translate value-based health care into practice with key stakeholders. Further work is required to socialise them to within dental teams. CONCLUSION: Organisations looking to commence the value-based health care agenda can apply Dental Health Services Victoria's three key principles as a first step.
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Jul · PMID 37525392
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OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between preventive dental care utilization and untreated dental caries for Medicaid-enrolled adolescents and to determine if the relationship is moderated by chro...OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between preventive dental care utilization and untreated dental caries for Medicaid-enrolled adolescents and to determine if the relationship is moderated by chronic conditions (CC). METHODS: This analysis was based on 2015-2016 Medicaid claims files and survey data collected from adolescents ages 12-18 years enrolled in Oregon Medicaid, who received a dental screening between December 2015 and December 2016 (n = 240). To assess the relationship between preventive dental care utilization and untreated dental caries (defined as decayed tooth surfaces), prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were generated using log-linear regression models. We also tested for an interaction between preventive dental care utilization and CC. RESULTS: About 60.4% of adolescents utilized preventive dental care, 21.7% had CC, and 29.6% had ≥1 decayed tooth surfaces. There were no significant differences in untreated dental caries between adolescents who did and did not utilize preventive dental care (PR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.33-1.60; p = 0.43). There was not a significant interaction between preventive dental care utilization and CC (p = 0.65). Preventive dental care utilization was not significantly associated with untreated dental caries for adolescents with CC (PR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.10-2.65; p = 0.42) nor among adolescents without CC (PR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.33-1.91; p = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Preventive dental care was not shown to be associated with lower untreated dental caries for Medicaid-enrolled adolescents or those with CC. Future work that is adequately powered should continue to elucidate this relationship in Medicaid enrollees.
Abbas H, Takeuchi K, Kiuchi S
… +2 more, Kondo K, Osaka K
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Jul · PMID 37525371
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OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the life course association between exposure to two household dysfunctions (father violence against mother and parental divorce) at childhood (≤18...OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the life course association between exposure to two household dysfunctions (father violence against mother and parental divorce) at childhood (≤18 years) with later number of remaining teeth (≥65 years) in functionally independent older Japanese population. This was the first study to investigate this research question in the Asian context. METHODS: The Japan Gerontological Evaluation study (JAGES) self-reported retrospective data gathered in 2013 was used (n = 21,604). Each household dysfunction was binary variable (Yes/No), while the five categories of the number of remaining teeth were ≥20, 10-19, 5-9, 1-4, and no teeth. Sex-stratified ordered logistic regression models were used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) of having fewer teeth. The models were adjusted for age, economic adversity in childhood, educational attainment, comorbidities, and smoking status. RESULTS: Overall, 46.4% were men and a total of 1149 participants (5.3%) experienced household dysfunction at childhood [men = 642 (6.4%), women = 507 (4.4%)]. The regression models showed higher OR of having fewer teeth among men who experienced a household dysfunction [OR = 1.16; 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 1.00-1.36] than men who did not. This association was not observed among women [OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.79-1.13]. Similar magnitude and direction of the association was observed among men but not among women when the two components of household dysfunction were used separately and aggregately as exposure variables. CONCLUSION: An exposure to a household dysfunction at childhood was associated with having fewer teeth in later life among men but not among women.
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Jul · PMID 37401874
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OBJECTIVES: Advancing community water fluoridation (CWF) coverage is a national health objective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began adjusting state-reported data to calculate CWF coverage in 2012, and...OBJECTIVES: Advancing community water fluoridation (CWF) coverage is a national health objective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began adjusting state-reported data to calculate CWF coverage in 2012, and then modified methods in 2016. We evaluate improvements attributable to data adjustment and implications for interpreting trends. METHODS: To assess adjustment, we compared the percentage deviation of state-reported data and data adjusted by both methods to the standard estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey. To assess effects on estimated CWF trends, we compared statistics calculated with data adjusted by each method. RESULTS: The 2016 method outperformed on all points of evaluation. The CWF national objective measure (percentage of community water system population receiving fluoridated water) was negligibly affected by method. Percentage of US population receiving fluoridated water was lower with the 2016 method versus the 2012. CONCLUSIONS: Adjustment of state-reported data improved overall quality of CWF coverage measures and had minimal impact on key measures.
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Jul · PMID 37332067
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OBJECTIVES: Despite the critical importance of access to dental care for rural residents and concerns about a shrinking rural dentist workforce, few studies have examined rural dentist motivations to practice in rural ar...OBJECTIVES: Despite the critical importance of access to dental care for rural residents and concerns about a shrinking rural dentist workforce, few studies have examined rural dentist motivations to practice in rural areas. The aim of this study was to explore practicing rural dentists' motivations and experiences qualitatively through semi-structured interviews to help inform and guide recruitment and retention efforts in rural areas. METHODS: Dentists were included in the sample frame if they were general dentists in private practice and had a primary practice located in a rural Iowa county. Rural dentists with publicly available email addresses were contacted by email to participate. Semi-structured interviews were administered to 16 private practice general dentists. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using pre-set and emergent codes. RESULTS: Participants were most commonly male (75%), under age 35 (44%), white (88%), and practiced in a partnership arrangement (44%). The main codes regarding dentists' experiences and motivations to practice in a rural area included familiarity with a rural area, community, financial factors, and clinical care delivery. Having been raised in a rural area was a major influence in most dentists' decisions about where to locate. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of rural upbringing in this study underscores the need to consider rural upbringing in dental student admissions. Additional findings, such as financial benefits of a rural practice and other practice-related factors can be used to inform recruitment efforts.
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Jul · PMID 37329179
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OBJECTIVES: This study estimates the frequency of cost-related oral health service avoidance (CROHSA) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in Canada relative to heterosexual persons. METHODS: Heterosexual a...OBJECTIVES: This study estimates the frequency of cost-related oral health service avoidance (CROHSA) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in Canada relative to heterosexual persons. METHODS: Heterosexual and sexual minority individuals in Canada were compared using the national probability-based Canadian Community Health Survey 2017-2018. Logistic regression was used to quantify associations between LGB status and CROHSA. Mediators were tested following Andersen's behavioral model of health service utilization and included partnership status, oral health status, presence of dental pain, educational attainment, insurance status, smoking status, general health status, and personal income. RESULTS: From our sample of 103,216 individuals, 34.8% of LGB individuals reported avoiding oral health care due to cost compared to 22.7% of heterosexual persons. Disparities were most pronounced among bisexual individuals (odds ratio [OR] 2.29 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42, 3.49). Disparities persisted despite adjustment for confounding using age, gender/sex, and ethnicity (OR 2.23 95% CI 1.42, 3.49). Disparities were fully mediated by eight hypothesized mediators namely, educational attainment, smoking status, partnership status, income, insurance status, oral health status, and the presence of dental pain (OR 1.69 95% CI 0.94, 3.03). In contrast, lesbian/gay individuals did not have elevated odds of experiencing CROHSA compared to heterosexual individuals (OR 1.27 95% CI 0.84, 1.92). CONCLUSION: CROHSA is elevated for bisexual individuals relative to heterosexual individuals. Targeted interventions should be explored to improve oral healthcare access among this population. Future research should assess the role of minority stress and social safety on oral health inequities among sexual minority groups.
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Jul · PMID 37309218
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OBJECTIVES: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) can negatively impact the lives of young children, despite being preventable. The purpose of this study was to utilize available data in Alaska to describe changes in parent repor...OBJECTIVES: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) can negatively impact the lives of young children, despite being preventable. The purpose of this study was to utilize available data in Alaska to describe changes in parent reports of ECC, and identify factors related to ECC. METHODS: The Childhood Understanding Behaviors Survey (CUBS) is a population-based survey of parents of 3-year-old children and was utilized to describe changes in: parent-reported ECC among children with a dental visit, access to and or utilization of dental care, and consumption of three or more cups of sweetened beverages between 2009-2011 and 2016-2019. Logistic regression modeling was used to explore factors associated with parent-reported ECC among children with a dental visit. RESULTS: Over time, a significantly smaller proportions of parents whose 3-year-old child had seen a dental professional reported ECC. Additionally, a smaller proportion of parents reported three or more cups of sweetened beverage consumption by their child, while larger proportions had seen a dental professional by age 3. Factors associated with parent-reported ECC included consumption of three or more cups of sweetened beverages, and enrollment in Medicaid or Tribal health care insurance, while protective factors included a parent earning a college degree, and military insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Although at the statewide level, improvements were observed in parent-reported measures over time, regional disparities were apparent. Social and economic factors as well as excessive consumption of sweetened beverages appear to play important roles in ECC. CUBS data can help identify trends in ECC within Alaska.
J Public Health Dent
· 2023 Jul · PMID 37309070
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OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effectiveness of a single application of 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) solution in arresting and controlling active accessible...OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effectiveness of a single application of 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) solution in arresting and controlling active accessible caries compared to no treatment among adults aged 18 years and older residing in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. Many patients cannot receive standard-of-care dental treatment due to their medical conditions and inability to undergo anesthesia. All teeth in the control group will be treated with SDF at the conclusion of the study. METHODS: This study enrolled 39 adults aged 18 or older with 188 active lesions from nine San Antonio, Texas, nursing home facilities. Teeth were randomized and divided into two treatment and control groups. Each treatment tooth was paired with a control in the same oral cavity. Accessible carious lesions were treated with a single application of 38% SDF solution. Teeth were re-evaluated at 3 weeks where control groups also received SDF treatment. RESULTS: The treatment group demonstrated caries arrest in 77 (81.9%) teeth compared to 0 in the control group (0%). Notably, within the treatment group 14 of the 17 teeth with no caries arrest were posterior teeth (82.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a single application of 38% SDF solution is an effective measure for arresting and controlling caries compared to standard oral hygiene maintenance. Our research team recommends the regular use of a single application of SDF solution in marginalized populations given the possible public health, oral health, social, and economic benefits.