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 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.

Oral health needs, dental care utilization, and quality of life perceptions among Oregonian seniors

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richie Kohli ◽  
Harjit S. Sehgal ◽  
Sandra Nelson ◽  
Eli Schwarz
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Dental Care Utilization

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 Prevalence and Patterns of Dental Care Utilization among US-Born and Non–US Born Hispanics in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

2020 ◽  
pp. 238008442092333
Author(s):  
A.A. Akinkugbe ◽  
S.E. Raskin ◽  
E.E. Donahue ◽  
M.E. Youngblood ◽  
N.N. Laniado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Dental Visit ◽  
Dental Care Utilization ◽  
Perceived Need ◽  
Hispanic Community ◽  
Utilization Patterns

Objectives: Access to routine dental services is important to maintaining good oral health. The aims of this study were to describe the dental care utilization patterns of a diverse group of Hispanic/Latino men and women and assess differences in dental care utilization by perceived need for dental care and proxy measures of acculturation. Methods: Data from 13,792 participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study were analyzed with SAS 9.4. Time since last dental visit was dichotomized into <1 and ≥1 y. Acculturation measures included the language and social subscales of the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics, the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis nativity subscore, and immigrant generation. Survey logistic regression adjusted for demographic (age and sex) and health-related variables, estimated associations among perceived need for dental care, acculturation measures, and dental care utilization. Results: About a quarter (23%) of the participants were born in the 50 US states, excluding territories, while 77% were non–US born. Overall, 74% perceived a need for dental care. Upon covariate adjustment, perceiving a need for dental care was associated with reduced odds of reporting a past-year dental visit (odds ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.37), while there appeared to be no meaningful association between proxy measures of acculturation and past-year dental visit. Having health insurance was significantly associated with a past-year dental visit (odds ratio, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.99 to 2.49) for all groups combined and among the different Hispanic/Latino background groups. Conclusions: Acculturation affects general health and contributes to general health disparities; however, its role in dental care utilization remains questionable. Given that acculturation is a process that occurs over several years, longitudinal studies that evaluate oral health trajectories along the acculturation continuum are needed. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study are valuable for dental public health program planning and implementation for minority groups, as it describes the varying patterns of dental care utilization among US-born and non–US born Hispanics/Latinos and identifies factors that may partly explain dental care utilization patterns, such as acculturation.

scholarly journals Exploring associations between oral health and frailty in community-dwelling older people

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
B. Everaars ◽  
K. Jerković – Ćosić ◽  
N. Bleijenberg ◽  
N.J. de Wit ◽  
G.J.M.G. van der Heijden
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Emergency Visit ◽  
Dental Care Utilization ◽  
Community Dwelling Older People ◽  
Dental Emergency

Background: In frail older people with natural teeth factors like polypharmacy, reduced salivary flow, a decrease of oral self-care, general healthcare issues, and a decrease in dental care utilization contribute to an increased risk for oral complications. On the other hand, oral morbidity may have a negative impact on frailty. Objective: This study explored associations between oral health and two frailty measures in community-dwelling older people. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was carried out in a Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) in The Netherlands. Participants: Of the 5,816 persons registered in the PHC, 1,814 persons were eligible for participation at the start of the study. Measurements: Two frailty measures were used: 1. Being at risk for frailty, using Electronical Medical Record (EMR) data, and: 2. Survey-based frailty using ‘The Groningen Frailty Indicator’ (GFI). For oral health measures, dental-record data (dental care utilization, dental status, and oral health information) and self-reported oral problems were recorded. Univariate regression analyses were applied to determine the association between oral health and frailty, followed by age- and sex-adjusted multivariate logistic regressions. Results: In total 1,202 community-dwelling older people were included in the study, 45% were male and the mean age was 73 years (SD=8). Of all participants, 53% was at risk for frailty (638/1,202), and 19% was frail based on the GFI (222/1,202). A dental emergency visit (Odds Ratio (OR)= 2.0, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=1.33;3.02 and OR=1.58, 95% CI=1.00;2.49), experiencing oral problems (OR=2.07, 95% CI=1.52;2.81 and OR=2.87, 95% CI= 2.07;3.99), and making dietary adaptations (OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.31;5.41 and OR=5.49, 95% CI= 3.01;10.01) were associated with being at risk for frailty and survey-based frailty respectively. Conclusions: A dental emergency visit and self-reported oral health problems are associated with frailty irrespective of the approach to its measurement. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the associations of oral health and frailty in daily practice.

scholarly journals Dental Care Utilization Among Caregivers Who Care for Older Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Huabin Luo ◽  
Elizabeth Flint ◽  
Lu Qin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Dental Care Utilization

scholarly journals Dental care utilization among North Carolina rural older adults

2012 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Arcury ◽  
Margaret R. Savoca ◽  
Andrea M. Anderson ◽  
Haiying Chen ◽  
Gregg H. Gilbert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Dental Care Utilization ◽  
Rural Older Adults
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