scholarly journals DISPARITIES IN ORAL HEALTH AND DENTAL CARE AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 646-647
Author(s):  
B. Wu ◽  
H. Luo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
The U.S

scholarly journals Social and Behavioral Factors, Oral Health, and Dental Care Utilization

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 799-800
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Stephen Shuman ◽  
Elisa Ghezzi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Behavioral Factors ◽  
Dental Care Utilization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Oral health status and dental care utilization is strongly associated with social and behavioral factors and health outcomes. The five papers in this symposium address how several of these factors affect oral health and dental care among diverse groups of older adults. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, the first paper examined the impact of early childhood disadvantages on oral health in later life among adults age 51 and above in the U.S. The second paper used large-scale epidemiological data that addressed the relationship between acculturation and subsequent oral health problems. It also tested the moderating role of neighborhood disorder in such a relationship among older Chinese Americans. The third paper demonstrated the importance of examining different pathways among foreign-born and native-born Chinese older adults with regard to offspring’s support on their oral health outcomes. While increasing evidence shows that cognitive function is associated with oral health, limited studies have been conducted to examine the impact of cognitive impairment, e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and related dementias (RD), on dental care utilization and costs in older adults. The fourth paper aimed to address this knowledge gap. Results showed that AD and RD had different impacts on different types of dental care utilization and costs. The fifth paper further displayed that individuals with cognitive impairment face a significant challenge in handling dental-related medications. This symposium provides policy and clinical implications on improving oral health and dental care utilization among older adults in the U.S. Oral Health Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF DIABETES AND POOR ORAL HEALTH ON COGNITION: IMPLICATIONS TO IMPROVE DENTAL CARE ACCESS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S607-S607
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Huabin Luo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Tooth Loss ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Care Access ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The U.S

Abstract This study examined the joint effects of diabetes and poor oral health on cognitive function among older adults aged 60 years or older in the U.S. We analyzed data of 2,937 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2014). We investigated the interaction effects between diabetes and significant tooth loss, i.e. differences among the following four groups: 1=neither of the two conditions, 2=non-diabetic but with tooth loss, 3=diabetic but no tooth loss, and 4=both conditions. Significant interaction effects were found in our study. Having either diabetes or significant tooth loss was associated with lower cognitive function. When the two conditions were both present, the negative effects were much stronger than the total effects from either one of the two conditions. The additional loss of cognitive function resulting from multiple health conditions illustrates the importance of improving access to dental care for older adults in the U.S.

scholarly journals DISPARITIES OF DENTAL CARE AND CONSEQUENCE OF POOR ORAL HEALTH AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN THE U.S.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S606-S606
Author(s):  
Yanyan Wu ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Bei Wu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Dental Care Utilization ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Oral health is an essential part of staying healthy. Neglect of dental care may lead to tooth decay/ loss, poor nutrition, and affects individuals’ quality of life. Over the past decades, dental care utilization has risen considerably, however, racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities still persist in the U.S. Additionally, poor oral health is a contributing factor to, and a consequence of chronic diseases such as cognitive impairment, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Faced with the complex and intertwined health and social challenges, it’s imperative to understand the disparities of dental care utilization and the relationships among oral health and chronic diseases so that effective policies and preventions can be implemented to improve quality of care. In this symposium, we present findings for older adults from diverse racial/ethnic populations in the U.S. We begin with results from two national-wide trend analyses: a 15-year review of dental care utilization and the evaluation of dental care performance over a 16-year period in nursing homes. The next study presents the barriers of dental care utilization in Hawaii. Finally, we present results of the negative effects of diabetes and poor oral health on cognitive function. Our studies address the disparities of dental care utilization among minority and under-represented ethnic groups as well as the connections between oral health and chronic conditions. Our results are helpful in educating policy makers and health practitioners about how to improve dental care and how dental care can be effectively integrated into chronic disease prevention and health promotion activities.

scholarly journals INTEREST GROUP SESSION—ORAL HEALTH: COGNITIVE FUNCTION, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND ORAL HEALTH STATUS AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S349-S349
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Stephen K Shuman ◽  
Michele Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
The U.S

Abstract There is an increasing awareness of the importance of oral health and its associated risk factors among older adults. This symposium includes four papers that address cognitive function, social support and oral health problems and symptoms among older adults in the U.S. and China. Lu and his colleagues examined the reciprocal relationship between cognitive function and complete tooth loss Chinese adults age 50+ using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal study. The results show that there is a reciprocal relationship between these two indicators. The second paper used the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) and examined the associations between tooth/gums symptoms and changes in cognitive function in Chinese older immigrants. The results reveal that having teeth symptoms was associated with a decline in cognitive function. Using the same PINE data, the third paper examined the association between different characteristics of social relationships and the number of oral health problems among U.S. older Chinese adults. Wu and her colleagues conducted a partner-assisted pilot intervention to improve oral health for community-dwelling older adults with either mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. The results of this 6-month intervention show that persons in the treatment group had more improvement in oral hygiene than those in the control group. Findings from these four papers illustrate that cognitive function, social support, and oral health are interrelated. This symposium highlights the importance of improving cognitive health, social support, and oral health for middle-aged and older adults.

scholarly journals Oral Health, Cognitive Function, and Mortality: Findings From National Surveys

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 206-206
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Susie Keepper ◽  
Michèle Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
National Surveys ◽  
New Findings ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Poor oral health, diabetes mellitus (DM), and cognitive impairment are common problems in older adults. Using national surveys, this symposium aims to present new findings regarding the impact of the co-occurrence of DM and poor oral health on cognitive function, cognitive decline, and mortality. This symposium will also cover the topic of dental care use among adult populations in the U.S. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (2006- 2018), the first study shows that adults with both DM and edentulism had the worst cognitive function, followed by those with edentulism alone, and those with DM alone. Using the same HRS data, the second study found that co-occurrence of DM and edentulism had a higher risk of more rapid cognitive decline with advancing age than the presence of each condition alone. The third study used data from the 2006-2016 HRS linked with mortality files, and revealed that the risk of diabetes and edentulism on mortality may vary across racial/ethnic groups. Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey (2002-2018), the fourth study examined disparities of dental service utilization among racial/ethnic groups (Whites, Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders). Age differences in dental services were also compared between older adults and other younger and middle-aged populations. This symposium highlights the role of oral health in improving cognitive health. Policies and programs are needed to increase dental care access, a critical way to help maintain good oral health.

scholarly journals What is Behind the High Dental Costs in the U.S.

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Yanushevsky
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Preventive Dental Care ◽  
Cost Of Health Care ◽  
The World ◽  
The U.S

Healthcare is among the most important issues for Americans since the U.S. health care system is the most expensive in the world. Analyzing the U.S. rising cost of health care in the 21 century it is impossible not to see that the increase of dental prices exceeds significantly the growth of prices for many other medical services. Regular preventive dental care is essential for good oral health, but many persons don’t get the care they need. More people are unable to afford dental care than other types of health care. Such situation with dental health is inadmissible.

scholarly journals Saving Senior Smiles: A Community Outreach Educational Program and Pilot Research Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 842-842
Author(s):  
Prajakta Joshi ◽  
Kadambari Rawal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Oral Bacteria ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Outreach Program ◽  
Senior Centers ◽  
Oral Health Knowledge

Abstract Globally, poor oral health has been evidenced more frequently among older adults. Thus, it is imperative to develop strategies for improving the oral health knowledge and access to dental care amongst the older adult population. The Saving Senior Smiles (S3) pilot outreach program was launched as an oral health education and awareness program for community-dwelling older adults across senior centers in the greater Boston area (Massachusetts, USA). The outreach consisted of oral health educational seminars presented by pre- doctoral dental students from three dental schools in the Boston area. The presentations highlighted the significance of oral health, and the importance of seeking routine dental care. Pre and post-test surveys were administered to assess the participants’ utilization of oral health services and oral health knowledge. The surveys were completed by 85 older adults (Female= 58.8%) across five senior centers. Questions pertaining to utilization of dental services revealed that 78.8% of the participants had a dentist. Expectedly, the center that reported the greatest number of missing teeth (Fenway center= 70.6%) had the least number of individuals who had a dentist (58.3%). With regard to oral health knowledge, before the seminars, less than half of the participants (42.2% ) across all the senior centers were aware of the common oral conditions that affected older adults ( dry mouth, gum recession and changes in oral bacteria) and after the presentation over 60% of the participants responded correctly to these knowledge questions. Overall, these findings emphasize the value of simple community-based interventions for older adults.

scholarly journals RACIAL-ETHNIC DISPARITY IN DENTAL CARE IN NURSING HOMES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S245-S245
Author(s):  
Zhiqiu Ye ◽  
Bei Wu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Ethnic Disparity ◽  
System Level ◽  
Term Care ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Care Performance

Abstract Minority older adults are at higher risks of poor oral health. Little is known about the extent of and the contributing factors to racial/ethnic disparity in dental care quality in the long-term care settings. Previous studies suggest that organizational and system-level factors are key determinants of oral health among minority older adults. We examined the racial/ethnic disparity in dental care delivery in nursing homes (NHs) by facility and market characteristics. We analyzed the 2000-2016 national Inspection Survey data for all certified-NHs (n=248,975 facility-years). Two designated deficiency citations were used to measure dental care performance. Generalized estimating equations were used to compare the rates of deficiency citations among NHs in different quartiles of the share of minority residents, adjusting for facility characteristics, market characteristics, year and state fixed effects. Overall, compared to NHs in the lowest quartile of the share of minority residents (average % minority residents =0.24%), NHs in the highest quartile of the share of minority residents (average % minority residents = 46.5%) and those in the second highest share (average % minority residents=13.9%) had 46.8% and 31.2% higher odds of receiving dental care citations(p<0.001 for both), respectively. The increased citation rates persisted over time (p=0.40) and were greater among for-profit NHs (p=0.02). Our study suggests that minority older adults in NHs are disproportionately affected by poorer dental care performance. There is a great need to improve quality of dental care in NHs, particularly for those that are for-profit and those that disproportionately serve minority residents.

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