Correlates of dental visits among community-residing Latino elders: a public health alert.

OBJECTIVES: To examine oral service utilisation in a probability sample of community-residing Latino elders. BACKGROUND: Older Latinos are at a potential increased risk of oral diseases, given their higher prevalence of co-morbidities and lower rate of dental service utilisation. METHODS: A prevalence survey was conducted among a random sample of Latino (largely Puerto Rican) elders (n = 205; mean age = 75.8; SD ± 5.3) in New York City during 2001-2002. A systematic random sample was drawn from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Beneficiary tape files. Current use of oral health services and self-reported health conditions was obtained. Functional and cognitive impairment were assessed. RESULTS: Less than half of the sample reported a dental visit in the previous year. The average time since the last dental visit was 54 months (SD ± 84.5). Last year dental visit compliers were more likely to be unmarried, living alone, with higher levels of education, fewer health conditions and less impairment with activities of daily living. In multivariate analyses, problem-oriented behaviour, Medicaid beneficiary, education, living alone, chronic health conditions and mobility impairment explained 14% of the 'time since last dental visit' variance. CONCLUSIONS: Given that socio-demographic and level of functioning determinants appear to influence the frequency of dental visits, a multilevel approach to oral health promotion is imperative.

Prevalence estimates and health-related correlates of cognitive impairment from a probability sample of community-residing Latino elders.

OBJECTIVE: Prevalence estimates of cognitive impairment are provided from a probability sample of Latino elders, mostly Puerto Ricans. A profile of those with cognitive impairment is provided. Predictors of cognitive impairment and the association between depressive symptomatology and cognitive impairment are examined. METHOD: A prevalence survey was conducted among a community sample of 205 Latino elders in New York City, drawn from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Medicare beneficiary tape files. RESULTS: The prevalence ratio for cognitive impairment using scale-cut scores was 12%; the latent class estimate was .15 (SE = .025; 95% CI = .10 - .21). Individuals with cognitive impairment were older; had lower levels of education, income, and acculturation; and reported higher levels of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depressive symptomatology. DISCUSSION: This study resulted in the identification of a cluster of socioeconomic, health, and mental health factors that may influence the functional ability of older Puerto Ricans.