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1.
J Public Health Dent ; 83(3): 320-324, 2023 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37401874

ABSTRACT

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.


Subject(s)
Dental Caries , United States , Humans , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Fluoridation , Research Design , Surveys and Questionnaires , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.
2.
J Am Dent Assoc ; 153(10): 970-978.e4, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35953306

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: School sealant programs (SSPs) increase sealant prevalence among children lacking access to oral health care. SSPs, however, are substantially underused. From 2013 through 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded 18 states for SSP activities in high-need schools (≥ 50% free and reduced-price meal program participation). From 2019 through 2020, the authors assessed SSPs' impact in reducing caries and how states expanded SSPs. The authors also discuss potential barriers to expansion. METHODS: For Aim 1, the authors used a published methodology and SSP baseline screening and 1-year retention data to estimate averted caries over 9 years attributable to SSPs. For Aim 2, the authors used state responses to an online survey, phone interviews, and annual administrative reports. RESULTS: Using data for 62,750 children attending 18.6% of high-need schools in 16 states, the authors estimated that 7.5% of sound, unsealed molars would develop caries annually without sealants and placing 4 sealants would prevent caries in 1 molar. Fourteen states reported SSP expansion in high-need schools. The 2 most frequently reported barriers to SSP expansion were levels of funding and policies requiring dentists to be present at assessment or sealant placement. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found that SSPs typically served children at elevated caries risk and reduced caries. In addition, the authors identified funding levels and policies governing supervision of dental hygienists as possible barriers to SSP expansion. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Increasing SSP prevalence could reduce caries. Further research on potential barriers to SSP implementation identified in this study could provide critical information for long-term SSP sustainability.


Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Pit and Fissure Sealants , Adolescent , Child , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Dental Caries/prevention & control , Humans , Molar , Oral Health , Pit and Fissure Sealants/therapeutic use , Schools
3.
J Am Dent Assoc ; 153(6): 563-571.e2, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35287941

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The authors examined potential benefits and difficulties in integrating oral health care and medical care for adults with chronic conditions (CCs). METHODS: The authors used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2016 data to estimate crude (age- and sex-standardized) and model-adjusted estimates to examine the association between dental disease (severe tooth loss, untreated caries) and chronic disease (≥ 3 CCs, fair or poor health) and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2014-2016 data to estimate crude estimates of past-year medical and dental use and financial access according to CC status. Reported differences are significant at P < .05. RESULTS: National prevalences of reporting fair or poor health and 3 or more CCs were both approximately 15%. Standardized prevalence of dental disease was notably higher among adults reporting CCs than those not reporting. After controlling for covariates, the magnitude of the association was substantially lower, although the association remained significant. Adults with CCs were approximately 50% more likely to report having a past-year medical visit and no dental visit than those not reporting CCs. Among adults reporting CCs, prevalence of having no private dental insurance and low income was approximately 20% and 60% higher, respectively, than that among adults not reporting CCs. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with CCs had higher prevalence of dental disease, past-year medical visit and no dental visit, and limited financial access. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Medical visits may be the only opportunity to provide dental education and referrals to adults with CCs. Improved medical-dental integration could improve oral health care access and oral health among these adults who are at higher risk of dental disease.


Subject(s)
Dental Care , Dental Caries , Adult , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Health Status , Humans , Insurance Coverage , Insurance, Health , Nutrition Surveys , United States/epidemiology
4.
Diabetes Care ; 44(6): 1317-1323, 2021 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33905345

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is associated with poor oral health, but incremental expenditures for dental care associated with diabetes in the U.S. are unknown. We aimed to quantify these incremental expenditures per person and for the nation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 46,633 noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥18 years old who participated in the 2016-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We used two-part models to estimate dental expenditures per person in total, by payment source, and by dental service type, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and geographic variables. Incremental expenditure was the difference in predicted expenditure for dental care between adults with and without diabetes. The total expenditure for the U.S. was the expenditure per person multiplied by the estimated number of people with diabetes. Expenditures were adjusted to 2017 USD. RESULTS: The mean adjusted annual diabetes-associated incremental dental expenditure was $77 per person and $1.9 billion for the nation. Of this incremental expenditure, 51% ($40) and 39% ($30) were paid out of pocket and by private insurance, 69% ($53) of the incremental expenditure was for restorative/prosthetic/surgical services, and adults with diabetes had lower expenditure for preventive services than those without (incremental, -$7). Incremental expenditures were higher in older adults, non-Hispanic Whites, and people with higher levels of income and education. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes is associated with higher dental expenditures. These results fill a gap in the estimates of total medical expenditures associated with diabetes in the U.S. and highlight the importance of preventive dental care among people with diabetes.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus , Health Expenditures , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States/epidemiology , White People
5.
Prev Chronic Dis ; 18: E31, 2021 04 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33830915

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Untreated dental disease and resulting tooth loss can diminish quality of life for older adults by limiting food choices and discouraging social interaction. Before the Basic Screening Survey (BSS) for older adults, no clinical data were available to monitor the oral health of older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities at the national level or older adults overall at the state level. Although BSS is widely used, no guidelines exist to ensure the validity, reliability, and comparability of survey information across states. We examined BSS content to help establish reporting guidelines and synthesized findings across states for older adults living in LTC. METHODS: We systematically reviewed BSS reports published from 2011-2019, assessing how oral health outcomes were measured and reported. For reports that included statewide estimates for LTC residents, we calculated the mean, median, and ranges of 3 preventable oral health conditions and 4 indicators of tooth loss. RESULTS: We found wide variation in reporting of sampling, screening, and statistical methods, as well as in indicators of tooth loss. Median prevalence of untreated tooth decay and edentulism (total tooth loss) among LTC adults in 11 states was almost twice that for community-dwelling adults in a national survey. CONCLUSIONS: The substantial variation in BSS reporting highlights the potential benefits of adopting standardized guidance, which could improve the utility of BSS. Poor oral health outcomes among LTC residents underscore the importance of systematic monitoring of the oral health of this vulnerable population.


Subject(s)
Oral Health , Tooth Loss , Aged , Humans , Quality of Life , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tooth Loss/epidemiology
6.
J Am Dent Assoc ; 152(4): 269-276.e2, 2021 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33775286

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Untreated caries (UC), although highly prevalent, is largely preventable. Information on the contribution of different teeth to UC prevalence and severity could be helpful in evaluating UC surveillance protocols and the relative benefits of caries prevention interventions. METHODS: The authors combined data from 3 cycles (2011-2016) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for participants aged 6 through 11 years, 12 through 19 years, 20 through 34 years, 35 through 49 years, 50 through 64 years, 65 through 74 years, and 75 years and older. For each age group the authors calculated the contribution of successive permanent tooth types (for example, first molars and second molars) to UC prevalence and severity. RESULTS: UC prevalence and the percentage of prevalence detected by means of screening molars were, respectively, 5% and 95% among participants aged 6 through 11 years; 16% and 92% among participants aged 12 through 19 years; 29% and 86% among participants aged 20 through 34 years; 26% and 70% among participants aged 35 through 49 years; 21% and 48% among participants aged 50 through 64 years; 16% and 36% among participants aged 65 through 74 years; and 17% and 25% among participants 75 years and older. Among adults aged 50 years and older, no teeth appeared to capture a disproportionate share of UC prevalence. Molars accounted for 87%, 79%, and 56% of severity among participants aged 6 through 11 years, 12 through 19 years, and 20 through 34 years, respectively. After age 34 years, molars accounted for less than 50% of severity. CONCLUSIONS: Molars are the tooth type most susceptible to UC well into adulthood. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Molars could be used as sentinel teeth for surveillance of UC and adults could benefit from caries prevention that targets molars.


Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Pit and Fissure Sealants , Adult , Aged , Child , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Dental Caries/prevention & control , Dental Caries Susceptibility , Dentition, Permanent , Humans , Middle Aged , Nutrition Surveys , Public Health Surveillance , Young Adult
8.
J Am Dent Assoc ; 152(1): 55-64, 2021 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33413851

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: National data indicate that working-aged adults (20-64 years) are more likely to report financial barriers to receiving needed oral health care relative to other age groups. The aim of this study was to examine the burden of untreated caries (UC) and its association with reporting an unmet oral health care need among working-aged adults. METHODS: The authors used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2011 through 2016 for 10,286 dentate adults to examine the prevalence of mild to moderate (1-3 affected teeth) and severe (≥ 4 affected teeth) UC. The authors used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors that were associated with reporting an unmet oral health care need. RESULTS: Low-income adults had mild to moderate UC (26.2%) 2 times more frequently and severe UC (13.2%) 3 times more frequently than higher-income adults. After controlling for covariates, the variables most strongly associated with reporting an unmet oral health care need were UC, low income, fair or poor general health, smoking, and no private health insurance. The model-adjusted prevalence of reporting an unmet oral health care need among low-income adults with mild to moderate and severe UC were 35.7% and 45.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of UC among low-income adults is high; prevalence was approximately 40% with approximately 3 affected teeth per person on average. Reporting an unmet oral health care need appears to be capturing primarily differences in UC, health, and financial access to oral health care. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Data on self-reported unmet oral health care need can have utility as a surveillance tool for monitoring UC and targeting resources to decrease UC among low-income adults.


Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Nutrition Surveys , Adult , Aged , Delivery of Health Care , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Humans , Insurance, Health , Middle Aged , Oral Health , Young Adult
9.
NCHS Data Brief ; (368): 1-8, 2020 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32600520

ABSTRACT

Complete tooth loss can diminish quality of life, limiting food choices and impeding social interaction (1). Reducing complete tooth loss is a national health goal monitored by Healthy People; although prevalence has decreased since the 1960s, disparities persist (2-4). Factors leading to complete tooth loss-untreated dental caries, periodontitis, and smoking-are preventable and differ by socioeconomic status and between men and women (5,6). This report examines disparities in complete tooth loss among U.S. adults aged 65 and over by sex, age, race and Hispanic origin, and education in 2015-2018 and trends from 1999-2000 through 2017-2018.


Subject(s)
Tooth Loss/epidemiology , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Ethnicity , Female , Humans , Male , Nutrition Surveys , Prevalence , Tooth Loss/ethnology , United States/epidemiology
10.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep ; 69(21): 641-646, 2020 May 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32463807

ABSTRACT

Extensive tooth loss can lead to poor diet resulting in weight loss or obesity (1). It can also detract from physical appearance and impede speech, factors that can restrict social contact, inhibit intimacy, and lower self-esteem (1). Chronic medical conditions and oral conditions share common risk factors (2). Persons with chronic conditions are more likely to have untreated dental disease, which can result in tooth loss. Three measures of tooth loss during 1999-2004 and 2011-2016 were estimated by comparing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for each period among adults aged ≥50 years with selected chronic conditions.* The three measures were 1) edentulism (having no teeth); 2) severe tooth loss (having eight or fewer teeth) (3); and 3) lacking functional dentition (having <20 teeth out of 28, which is considered a full set for the purpose of NHANES assessments) (4). During 2011-2016, prevalences of edentulism and severe tooth loss were ≥50% higher among adults with fair or poor general health, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, diabetes, emphysema, heart disease, liver condition, or stroke than among those with those adults without the chronic condition. Lack of functional dentition was also more prevalent among adults with chronic conditions than among persons without these conditions. Tooth loss is preventable with self-care and routine dental visits (1). To encourage these behaviors, public health professionals can educate the public about the association between having a chronic condition and tooth loss, and primary care providers can educate their patients about the importance of healthy behaviors and screen and refer them for needed dental care.


Subject(s)
Chronic Disease/epidemiology , Tooth Loss/epidemiology , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nutrition Surveys , Prevalence , United States/epidemiology
11.
J Aging Health ; 32(7-8): 861-870, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31258028

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the associations between self-reported ability to afford dental care and quality of life in adults aged 45 years and older. Method: We used publicly available cross-sectional data from the 2008 National Health Interview Survey and its oral health supplement for 11,760 adults aged 45+ years. The increased probabilities of reporting dental problems attributable to an inability to afford dental care were estimated from multivariate models and combined with respective dental problem disability weights from the Global Burden of Disease to measure loss in quality of life. Results: Prevalence of reported inability to afford dental care, severe tooth loss, severe periodontitis, and untreated caries were 11.9%, 8.5%, 14.3%, and 37.9%, respectively. Inability to afford dental care was associated with an increase of 0.017 disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) per person per year under base case and 0.020 DALYs under generous assumptions. Conclusion: Making dental care affordable could improve adult's (age 45 and above) quality of life at a reasonable cost.


Subject(s)
Dental Care/economics , Health Services Accessibility/economics , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Global Burden of Disease , Health Surveys , Humans , Insurance, Dental/economics , Male , Medicaid , Medicare , Middle Aged , Oral Health , Quality of Life , Quality-Adjusted Life Years , Stomatognathic Diseases/economics , United States
12.
Am J Ophthalmol ; 210: 184-191, 2020 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31604065

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To examine self-reported oral health among adults aged 40 years and older with and without vision impairment. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, with a nationally representative sample. METHODS: We used publicly available data from the Oral Health Module, last administered in 2008, of the National Health Interview Survey. Outcome variables included fair/poor oral health status, mouth condition compared to others the same age, mouth problems (mouth sores, difficulty eating, dry mouth, bad breath, and/or jaw pain), teeth problems (toothache; broken/missing fillings or teeth; loose, crooked, or stained teeth; and/or bleeding gums), and lack of social participation. Using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression, we examined the association (P < .05) between vision impairment and oral health outcomes by age group, sociodemographics, and other explanatory variables. RESULTS: Our study sample included 12,090 adults; 12.8% of adults aged 40-64 years reported vision impairment, and among them, 44.5% reported fair/poor oral health status and 47.2% reported any mouth problems. Among adults aged ≥65 years, 17.3% reported vision impairment, of whom 36.3% reported fair/poor oral health status and 57.3% reported any mouth problems. There is a strong association between vision impairment and poorer oral health of adults; adults aged 40-64 years with vision impairment reported 90%-150% greater odds of oral health problems, including fair/poor oral health status, mouth problems, and teeth problems, compared to people without vision impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health disparities exist between adults with and without vision impairment. Targeted interventions are required to improve oral health in this vulnerable population.


Subject(s)
Mouth Diseases/epidemiology , Oral Health/standards , Tooth Diseases/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Status , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Quality of Life , Self Report , United States/epidemiology
14.
J Am Dent Assoc ; 150(10): 854-862, 2019 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31474301

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although dietary fluoride (F) supplements (DFS) are recommended for children who use F-deficient drinking water, no studies have examined filled DFS prescriptions across multiple states to examine the dosage consistency with current recommendations or prescription length. METHODS: This sequential cross-sectional analysis used Medicaid claims data for children aged 0.5 through 16 years who in 2011 lived in the 6 states with the lowest and the highest fluoridation coverage (≤ 34% and ≥ 95% of the public water system population fluoridated, respectively). For 2011, the authors calculated the mean percentage of children with filled DFS prescriptions and the change since 2000 across states with high and low fluoridation coverage, the percentage of children with filled DFS prescriptions containing F dosage consistent with current recommendations, and filled DFS prescription length and cost across states. RESULTS: In states with high fluoridation coverage, the mean percentage of children with a filled prescription was < 1% in both years; in states with low fluoridation coverage, this value increased from 0.9% to 10.3%, the highest increase (16.4 percentage points) since 2000 among children aged 0.5 through 2 years. The average prescription length was 72 days. Across states, the mean costs per child prescribed supplements and per enrollee were $17.60 and $1.05, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Filled prescriptions largely followed current recommendations but reached only a small percentage of children in low-coverage states. The short prescription length indicated limited exposure for caries prevention. Results from these states suggest more children could have longer exposure to the caries-preventive benefits of F at a similar cost with water fluoridation as with DFS.


Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Fluoridation , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , DMF Index , Fluorides , Humans , Medicaid , United States
15.
Prev Chronic Dis ; 16: E29, 2019 03 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30873938

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Dental sealants applied in childhood can help prevent caries, but knowledge of the availability of sealants and their function is not widespread. We assessed knowledge of dental sealants among US adults and adult parents of children younger than 18 and the differences in knowledge among demographic and socioeconomic groups. METHODS: We used data on 3,550 respondents to the 2015 FallStyles B survey of noninstitutionalized US adults aged 18 or older. Authors constructed estimates by using weights provided to reflect the distribution of the US population. Knowledge of dental sealants was assessed by sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, household income, and parental status. Multivariate analysis was conducted by using a main effects logistic regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 46.3% of adults and 55.1% of parents of children younger than 18 had knowledge of dental sealants. Sealant knowledge was highest among parents, women, respondents aged 45 to 59, and respondents with incomes greater than 200% of the federal poverty level and more than a high school education. Non-Hispanic blacks had less than half the odds of non-Hispanic whites of having knowledge of sealants (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.4), and nonparents had half the odds as parents (OR = 0.5) of knowing. The strongest predictors of parental sealant knowledge were race/ethnicity, sex, and income. CONCLUSION: Disparities in sealant knowledge correspond to disparities in sealant prevalence. Increasing knowledge among low-income and racial/ethnic minority parents could reduce disparities in sealant prevalence and untreated caries.


Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Pit and Fissure Sealants/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Dental Caries/therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Oral Health , Parents/psychology , Young Adult
16.
J Am Geriatr Soc ; 67(6): 1152-1157, 2019 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30698819

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in tooth loss and untreated tooth decay among older low-income and higher-income US adults and whether disparities have persisted. DESIGN: Sequential cross-sectional study using nationally representative data. SETTING: The 1999 to 2004 and 2011 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PARTICIPANTS: Noninstitutionalized US adults, aged 65 years and older (N = 3539 for 1999-2004, and N = 3514 for 2011-2016). MEASUREMENTS: Differences in prevalence of tooth loss (having 19 teeth or fewer, 8 teeth or fewer, and no teeth) and untreated decay and mean number of decayed and missing teeth (DMT) between low- and high-income adults 65 years and older in each survey and changes between surveys. Adjusted prevalence and count outcomes were estimated with logistic and negative binomial regression models, respectively. Models controlled for sociodemographic characteristics and smoking status. Reported findings are significant at P < .05. RESULTS: In 2011 to 2016, unadjusted prevalence of having 19 teeth or fewer, 8 teeth or fewer, no teeth, and untreated decay among low-income adults 65 years and older was 50.6%, 42.0%, 28.6%, and 28.6%, respectively. Multivariate analyses indicated that although most tooth loss measures improved between surveys for both income groups, tooth loss among low-income adults remained at almost twice that among higher-income adults. The disparity in untreated decay prevalence in 2011 to 2016, 15.2 percentage points (26.1% vs 10.9% for low vs high income) was twice that in 1999 to 2004, 8.5 percentage points (22.9% vs 14.4% for low vs high income). DMT decreased for both groups, with lower-income adults having about five more affected teeth in both surveys. CONCLUSION: Tooth loss is decreasing, but differential access to restorative care by income appears to have increased.


Subject(s)
Dental Caries/epidemiology , Healthcare Disparities , Oral Health/statistics & numerical data , Oral Health/trends , Tooth Loss/epidemiology , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Nutrition Surveys , Poverty , Prevalence , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States/epidemiology
17.
Am J Prev Med ; 55(3): e53-e60, 2018 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30017612

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Healthy People 2020 includes a goal of increasing use of preventive dental care among children from low-income families. The services used to define preventive care are evidence-based services (i.e., dental sealants and professionally applied topical fluoride) and professional dental cleaning, which lacks evidence of effectiveness in preventing caries. This study examined how increasing preventive dental care use and reducing disparities by race/ethnicity among children from low-income families varied by the services included in case definitions of preventive dental care use. METHODS: Three case definitions of past-year preventive dental care use were considered: (1) the Healthy People 2020 definition; (2) receipt of an evidence-based caries prevention service; and (3) dental cleaning only. Using pooled data from the 2001-2002 and 2013-2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for each definition, this study conducted in 2017 used multivariate logistic regression to estimate changes in preventive dental care use among children from low-income families by race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Use increased for all racial/ethnic groups for all definitions. Use of preventive dental care (Healthy People 2020 definition), however, was at least two times higher than evidence-based preventive dental use for all racial/ethnic groups in both survey periods. After controlling for insurance status and parental education, the disparity between non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white children in use of preventive dental care that was present in 2001-2002 was not detected in 2013-2014 whereas the disparity for evidence-based preventive dental care use persisted. CONCLUSIONS: Case definitions of preventive dental care that include non-evidence-based services may overstate receipt of effective preventive dental care and reductions in certain racial/ethnic disparities.


Subject(s)
Dental Care for Children/statistics & numerical data , Healthcare Disparities/statistics & numerical data , Poverty/statistics & numerical data , Preventive Health Services , Adolescent , Black or African American/statistics & numerical data , Asian/statistics & numerical data , Child , Female , Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , United States , White People/statistics & numerical data
18.
Prev Med ; 111: 291-298, 2018 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29155223

ABSTRACT

Because conducting population-based oral health screening is resource intensive, oral health data at small-area levels (e.g., county-level) are not commonly available. We applied the multilevel logistic regression and poststratification method to estimate county-level prevalence of untreated dental caries among children aged 6-9years in the United States using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2010 linked with various area-level data at census tract, county and state levels. We validated model-based national estimates against direct estimates from NHANES. We also compared model-based estimates with direct estimates from select State Oral Health Surveys (SOHS) at state and county levels. The model with individual-level covariates only and the model with individual-, census tract- and county-level covariates explained 7.2% and 96.3% respectively of overall county-level variation in untreated caries. Model-based county-level prevalence estimates ranged from 4.9% to 65.2% with median of 22.1%. The model-based national estimate (19.9%) matched the NHANES direct estimate (19.8%). We found significantly positive correlations between model-based estimates for 8-year-olds and direct estimates from the third-grade State Oral Health Surveys (SOHS) at state level for 34 states (Pearson coefficient: 0.54, P=0.001) and SOHS estimates at county level for 53 New York counties (Pearson coefficient: 0.38, P=0.006). This methodology could be a useful tool to characterize county-level disparities in untreated dental caries among children aged 6-9years and complement oral health surveillance to inform public health programs especially when local-level data are not available although the lack of external validation due to data unavailability should be acknowledged.


Subject(s)
Dental Caries/epidemiology , Multilevel Analysis , Oral Health , Child , Female , Humans , Male , New York , Nutrition Surveys , Prevalence , United States/epidemiology
19.
J Public Health Dent ; 78(1): 17-24, 2018 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28675452

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Develop methodology to estimate the annual cost of resources used by school sealant programs (SSPs) and demonstrate its use. METHODS: We used existing literature and expert opinion to identify SSP cost components and the most appropriate units for their measurement (e.g., per operator) and collection frequency (e.g., per day). For equipment and reusable instruments, costs were sufficiently homogenous across SSPs that we could provide default per unit cost estimates (2016 US$) that SSPs can use in lieu of collecting their own data. We also provide default costs for supply items such that SSPs can estimate total supply costs with program-specific information on sealant material used, as well as number of: sealant stations, operators, service delivery days, children screened/sealed, and number of teeth sealed. For the remaining three categories (labor, mileage, and administrative), costs varied substantially by SSP and required us to develop and pilot collection logs for program-specific data. RESULTS: The annual cost per sealant station ranged from $584 to $797 depending on program characteristics. For a hypothetical SSP that staffed each of two stations with two operators (hygienist and assistant) compensated at the national rate, hourly labor costs would equal $77.97. Assuming this SSP used disposable instruments, light-cured sealants and delivered sealants (3 per child) to 60 percent of the 3,390 children screened over 100 service days, infection control/supply costs per child would equal $5.30. CONCLUSION: This methodology allows SSPs to estimate costs with minimal data collection and time.


Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Pit and Fissure Sealants , Child , Dental Assistants , Dental Hygienists , Humans
20.
Prev Chronic Dis ; 14: E104, 2017 10 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29072984

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: We compared access to preventive dental care among low-income children eligible for public dental insurance to access among children with private dental insurance and/or high family income (>400% of the federal poverty level) in Georgia, and the effect of policies toward increasing access to dental care for low-income children. METHODS: We used multiple sources of data (eg, US Census, Georgia Board of Dentistry) to estimate, by census tract, measures of preventive dental care access in 2015 for children aged 0 to 18 years. Measures were percentage of met need, 1-way travel distance to a dentist, and scarcity of dentists. We used an optimization model to estimate access, quantify disparities, and evaluate policies. RESULTS: About 1.5 million children were eligible for public insurance; 600,000 had private insurance and/or high family income. Across census tracts, average met need was 59% for low-income children and 96% for high-income children; for rural census tracts, these values were 33% and 84%, respectively. The average 1-way travel distance for all census tracts was 3.7 miles for high-income and/or privately insured children and 17.2 miles for low-income children; for rural census tracts, these values were 11.6 and 32.9 miles, respectively. Increasing dentists' acceptance of public insurance-eligible children increased met need more in rural areas than in urban areas. To achieve 100% met need in rural tracts, however, an 80% participation rate among dentists would be required. CONCLUSION: Across census tracts, high-income children had better access to preventive dental care than low-income children had. Identifying tracts with disparities in access could result in more efficient allocation of public health dental resources.


Subject(s)
Dental Care , Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Healthcare Disparities/statistics & numerical data , Insurance, Dental/statistics & numerical data , Medicaid/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Geographic Mapping , Georgia , Health Services Needs and Demand , Health Surveys , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Poverty , United States
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