Relationship between cancer and oral health in Korean adults determined using data from the 6th (2013-2014) Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey / 대한구강보건학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Dental caries and periodontitis are major oral bacterial infections associated with dental plaque. Infection and inflammation play a role in carcinogenesis, and a significant link has been found between some highly prevalent oral and dental diseases and some types of cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cancer and oral health among Korean adults. METHODS: Data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to analyze the incidence of cancer according to oral health. Demographic and socioeconomic statuses and oral behavior of the participants was analyzed using complex chi-square tests. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between a high DMFT index and cancer by calculating the 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: In total, 6,450 case-control subjects were included. Significant difference was observed in the DMFT index, but not in periodontal diseases, between the cases and controls. The odds ratio for cancer was 1.80 (95% confidence interval 1.18 to 2.73) in the high-risk group. However, no significant difference was observed after adjusting for age, education level, and income. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide potential evidence of a significant association between cancer and oral disease.