Sociodemographic and Health-Related Risk Factors Associated with Tooth Loss Among Adults in Rhode Island

Yongwen Jiang, PhD; Catherine A. Okoro, PhD, MS; Junhie Oh, BDS, MPH; Deborah L. Fuller, DMD, MS

Suggested citation for this article: Jiang Y, Okoro CA, Oh J, Fuller DL. Sociodemographic and Health-Related Risk Factors Associated with Tooth Loss Among Adults in Rhode Island. Prev Chronic Dis 2013;10:110285. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd10.110285

MEDSCAPE CME

Medscape, LLC is pleased to provide online continuing medical education (CME) for this journal article, allowing clinicians the opportunity to earn CME credit.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of Medscape, LLC and Preventing Chronic Disease. Medscape, LLC is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Medscape, LLC designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
All other clinicians completing this activity will be issued a certificate of participation. To participate in this journal CME activity: (1) review the learning objectives and author disclosures; (2) study the education content; (3) take the post-test with a 70% minimum passing score and complete the evaluation at www.medscape.org/journal/pcd

; (4) view/print certificate.
Release date: March 27, 2013; Expiration date: March 27, 2014

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

Analyze sociodemographic factors associated with tooth loss among adults
Distinguish the most powerful sociodemographic predictor of tooth loss
Evaluate the effect of physical activity on tooth loss
Evaluate the effect of dental insurance coverage on tooth loss

EDITORS
Rosemarie Perrin, Editor, Ellen Taratus, Editor; Preventing Chronic Disease. Disclosure: Rosemarie Perrin and Ellen Taratus have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
CME AUTHOR
Charles Vega, MD, Associate Professor and Residency Director, Department of Family Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine. Disclosure: Charles P. Vega, MD, FAAFP, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
AUTHORS AND CREDENTIALS
Disclosures: Yongwen Jiang, PhD; Catherine A. Okoro, PhD, MS; Junhie Oh, BDS, MPH, have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. Deborah L. Fuller, DMD, MS served as an advisor or consultant for Metlife Priority Management Group.

Affiliations: Yongwen Jiang, Center for Health Data and Analysis, Rhode Island Department of Health and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island; Catherine A. Okoro, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Junhie Oh, Brown University School of Medicine and Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island; Deborah L. Fuller, Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island.

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CME Activity

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Acknowledgments

Author Information

References

Tables

Post-Test Information

PEER REVIEWED

Abstract

Introduction
Oral health is an integral component of overall health and well-being. Very little Rhode Island state-level information exists on the determinants of tooth loss. The objective of this study was to systematically identify sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, health conditions and disabilities, and dental insurance coverage associated with tooth loss among noninstitutionalized adults in Rhode Island.
Methods
We analyzed Rhode Island’s 2008 and 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data in 2011. The survey had 4 response categories for tooth loss: none, 1 to 5, 6 or more but not all, and all. We used multinomial logistic regression models to assess the relationship between 4 risk factor domains and tooth loss.
Results
An estimated 57.6% of Rhode Island adults had all their teeth, 28.9% had 1 to 5 missing teeth, 8.9% had 6 to 31 missing teeth, and 4.6% were edentulous. Respondents who had low income, low education, unhealthy behaviors (ie, were former or current smokers and did not engage in physical activity), chronic conditions (ie, diabetes and obesity) or disabilities, and no dental insurance coverage were more likely to have fewer teeth compared with their referent groups. However, the association of these variables with tooth loss was not uniform by age group.
Conclusion
Adults who report risky health behaviors or impaired health may be considered target subpopulations for prevention of tooth loss and promotion of good oral health.

Factores de riesgo sociodemográficos y relacionados con la salud asociados con la caída de dientes entre adultos en Rhode Island

Yongwen Jiang, PhD; Catherine A. Okoro, PhD, MS; Junhie Oh, BDS, MPH; Deborah L. Fuller, DMD, MS

REVISADO POR EXPERTOS

Resumen

Introducción
La salud bucal es un componente integral de la salud y el bienestar general. Existe muy poca información a nivel estatal en Rhode Island acerca de los determinantes de la caída de los dientes. El objeto de este estudio fue identificar de manera sistemática las características sociodemográficas, las conductas de salud, la cobertura de seguro dental y las discapacidades y afecciones que se relacionan a la caída de los dientes entre los adultos de Rhode Island no institucionalizados.
Métodos
En el año 2011 analizamos los datos de la encuesta del Sistema de Vigilancia de Factores de Riesgo del Comportamiento de Rhode Island del 2008 y del 2010. Las encuestas tenían 4 categorías de respuesta para la caída de los dientes: ninguno, de 1 a 5, 6 o más pero no todos y todos. Usamos modelos de regresión logística multinomial para evaluar la relación entre 4 dominios de factores de riesgo y la caída de los dientes.
Resultados
Se calcula que un 57.6 % de los adultos de Rhode Island tienen todos los dientes, al 28.9 % le faltan entre 1 y 5 dientes, al 8.9 % le faltan entre 6 y 31 dientes, y el 4.6 % son edéntulos. Entre los encuestados los que tenían bajos ingresos, un bajo nivel educativo, comportamientos poco saludables (por ejemplo, fumaban o habían fumado y no realizaban actividades físicas), tenían afecciones crónicas (por ejemplo, diabetes y obesidad) o discapacidades y no tenían cobertura de seguro dental tenían mayor tendencia a tener menos dientes que los grupos de referencia correspondientes. Sin embrago, la relación entre estas variables con la caída de los dientes no fue uniforme respecto del grupo etario.
Conclusión
Los adultos que informaron tener comportamientos de riesgo para la salud o salud deteriorada podrían considerarse subpoblaciones objetivo para la prevención de la caída de los dientes y la promoción de la buena higiene bucal.