Browsing by Subject "Other Dentistry"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Prevalence and Risk Indicators for Root Caries in Non-Institutionalized Older Adults U.S. Population, 1988-1994(2000-05-01) Rivera Torres, AngelRivera Torres, Angel D.D.S., M.P.H., M.S.P.H., Prevalence and Risk Indicators for Root Caries in Non-Institutionalized Older Adults U.S. Population, 1988-1994. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), May 2000, 139 pp., 17 tables, 1 illustration, bibliography, 132 titles. Background. Dental caries and periodontal disease are prevalent in the elderly population; the progressive consequences of these have physical, economic, social, and psychological implications for long term care. This study reports on associated risk indicators for root caries in a population-based sample of non-institutionalized older adults of diverse race/ethnic groups and age cohorts. Methods. Data were analyzed from 3.313 non-institutionalized U.S. adults 65 years of age and over, who had been surveyed in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, III 1988-94 (NHANES III) and who had completed the dental examination. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were used to compare older adults with and without root caries. Logistic regression analyses was utilized in this study to identify predictors for root caries. Results. The mean number of teeth in this population was 21, with an average prevalence of root decayed, filled surfaces (RDFs) of 2.17. The prevalence as measured by the root caries index (RCI) was 39.07 and the ratio RDs/RDFs was 70%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that African-American males (O.R.1.55;C.I.1.30-1.84) or Mexican-American males (O.R.3.18;C.I.2.56-3.94) with a level of education less than 8 years (O.R.1.50;C.I.1.25-1.81) living below poverty level (O.R.1.60;C.I.1.33-1.93) were most likely to have root caries. Smoking (O.R.1.70;C.I.1.41-2.04), previous root caries experience (O.R.1.61;C.I.1.15-1.68), wearing a partial denture (O.R.1.78;C.I.1.38-2.29), having 14 teeth of less (O.R.1.42;C.I.1.15-1.76) and consuming starchy (O.R.1.52;C.I.1.26-1.83) and liquid sugar snacks (O.R.1.75;C.I. 1.44-2.11) were also indicators of an increased risk for root caries. Conclusions. These findings suggest that Caucasians had less risk of root caries than African-American and Mexican-Americans and that poor periodontal status (O.R.3.29; C.I. 2.39-4.52) increased the risk of root caries. Additionally, older adults in the U.S. population have a great need for dental treatment. Additional epidemiologic studies are needed and should focus on those social and behavioral factors that put individuals at risk for developing root caries.Item The Impact of Race, Ethnicity, and Income on Dental Utilization(2004-05-01) Maresh, Kyeung Oak; Sejong Bae; Shande Chen; Karan SinghKyeung, Oak Maresh. The Impact of Race, Ethnicity, and Income on Dental Utilization Master of Public Health (Biostatics), May 2004, 29 pp., 5 tables, 43 references. Objective To determine if there is a difference in access to dental care services among the difference race/ethnic groups, to ascertain if dental care access differs according to income levels, and to look at the utilization patterns of dental care services. Methods The study data is public use data provided by the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The data for this study consisted of the 1999 Full Year Consolidated (Medical Expenditure Panel Survey) household component and the 1999 dental visits (HC-033B). Chi-square tests were performed to determine if there was a significant association (p [less than] 0.05) between each variable and the probability of dental care visits. Multiple logistic stepwise regression was performed to identify each predictor associated with dental care service. Results This study confirmed that minority ethnic groups access fewer dental care services than do non-Hispanic Whites. It also confirmed the second hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between income levels and access to dental care services. Conclusion The result of this study furthers our understanding of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status in relation to dental care access. They may also help to raise consciousness of dental care utilization and provide basic information to set up efficient prevention strategies increasing dental care utilization among minority racial/ethnic groups and those of low socioeconomic status.