Transmission of dental fear from parent to adolescent in an Appalachian sample in the USA.

BACKGROUND: Dental fear/anxiety is associated with numerous negative outcomes. State dental fear is known to be transmitted from parents to their children in the dental setting, but it is not known how trait fear/anxiety might be shared between parents and offspring long term, and especially for adolescents. AIM: This study aimed to: (a) compare dental fear levels of adolescents and their parents; (b) predict adolescent dental fear based on demographic variables, fear of pain, and parental dental fear; and, (c) determine relative contributions of mothers' and fathers' dental fear to adolescent fear. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, the Dental Fear Survey and Fear of Pain Questionnaire-9 were administered to 350 adolescents (age range 11-17) and 515 of their parents, with t test and ANOVA used to calculate between-group differences; multiple linear regression was used to predict adolescent fear from parent fear. RESULTS: Adolescents' dental fear was predicted by their own fear of pain and their parents' dental fear, but not their parents' fear of pain nor their own age or gender. When considered together, fathers' but not mothers' dental fear predicted adolescents' dental fear. CONCLUSIONS: Parents' fears/anxieties about dentistry are associated with adolescents' dental fear in a manner suggestive of intergenerational transmission.

Exploring the genomic basis of early childhood caries: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: A genetic component in early childhood caries (ECC) is theorized, but no genome-wide investigations of ECC have been conducted. This pilot study is part of a long-term research program aimed to: (1) determine the proportion of ECC variance attributable to the human genome and (2) identify ECC-associated genetic loci. METHODS: The study's community-based sample comprised 212 children (mean age=39 months; range = 30-52 months; males = 55%; Hispanic/Latino = 35%, African-American = 32%; American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry definition of ECC prevalence = 38%). Approximately 2.4 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using DNA purified from saliva. A P < 5 × 10-8 criterion was used for genome-wide significance. SNPs with P < 5 × 10-5 were followed-up in three independent cohorts of 921 preschool-age children with similar ECC prevalence. RESULTS: SNPs with minor allele frequency ≥5% explained 52% (standard error = 54%) of ECC variance (one-sided P = 0.03). Unsurprisingly, given the pilot's small sample size, no genome-wide significant associations were found. An intergenic locus on 4q32 (rs4690994) displayed the strongest association with ECC [P = 2.3 × 10-6 ; odds ratio (OR) = 3.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.1-5.9]. Thirteen loci with suggestive associations were followed-up - none showed evidence of association in the replication samples. CONCLUSION: This study's findings support a heritable component of ECC and demonstrate the feasibility of conducting genomics studies among preschool-age children.

Novel caries loci in children and adults implicated by genome-wide analysis of families.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is a common chronic disease among children and adults alike, posing a substantial health burden. Caries is affected by multiple genetic and environmental factors, and prior studies have found that a substantial proportion of caries susceptibility is genetically inherited. METHODS: To identify such genetic factors, we conducted a genome-wide linkage scan in 464 extended families with 2616 individuals from Iowa, Pennsylvania and West Virginia for three dental caries phenotypes: (1) PRIM: dichotomized as zero versus one or more affected primary teeth, (2) QTOT1: age-adjusted quantitative caries measure for both primary and permanent dentitions including pre-cavitated lesions, and (3) QTOT2: age-adjusted quantitative caries excluding pre-cavitated lesions. Genotyping was conducted for approximately 600,000 SNPs on an Illumina platform, pruned to 127,511 uncorrelated SNPs for the analyses reported here. RESULTS: Multipoint non-parametric linkage analyses generated peak LOD scores exceeding 2.0 for eight genomic regions, but no LOD scores above 3.0 were observed. The maximum LOD score for each of the three traits was 2.90 at 1q25.3 for PRIM, 2.38 at 6q25.3 for QTOT1, and 2.76 at 5q23.3 for QTOT2. Some overlap in linkage regions was observed among the phenotypes. Genes with a potential role in dental caries in the eight chromosomal regions include CACNA1E, LAMC2, ALMS1, STAMBP, GXYLT2, SLC12A2, MEGF10, TMEM181, ARID1B, and, as well as genes in several immune gene families. Our results are also concordant with previous findings from association analyses on chromosomes 11 and 19. CONCLUSIONS: These multipoint linkage results provide evidence in favor of novel chromosomal regions, while also supporting earlier association findings for these data. Understanding the genetic etiology of dental caries will allow designing personalized treatment plans based on an individual's genetic risk of disease.

Variants on chromosome 4q21 near PKD2 and SIBLINGs are associated with dental caries.

A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) for dental caries nominated the chromosomal region 4q21 near ABCG2, PKD2 and the SIBLING (small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoprotein) gene family. In this investigation, we followed up and fine-mapped this region using a tag-SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) approach in 13 age- and race-stratified samples from 6 independent studies (N=4089). Participants were assessed for dental caries via intraoral examination and 49 tag-SNPs were genotyped capturing much of the variation in the 4q21 locus. Linear models were used to test for genetic association, while adjusting for sex, age and components of ancestry. SNPs in and near PKD2 showed significant evidence of association in individual samples of black adults (rs17013735, P-value=0.0009) and white adults (rs11938025; P-value=0.0005; rs2725270, P-value=0.003). Meta-analyses across black adult samples recapitulated the association with rs17013735 (P-value=0.003), which occurs at low frequency in non-African populations, possibly explaining the race specificity of the effect. In addition to race-specific associations, we also observed evidence of gene-by-fluoride exposure interaction effects in white adults for SNP rs2725233 upstream of PKD2 (P=0.002). Our results show evidence of regional replication, though no single variant clearly accounted for the original GWAS signal. Therefore, while we interpret our results as strengthening the hypothesis that chromosome 4q21 may impact dental caries, additional work is needed.

Effects of Specimen Collection Methodologies and Storage Conditions on the Short-Term Stability of Oral Microbiome Taxonomy.

UNLABELLED: Community profiling of the oral microbiome requires the recovery of quality sequences in order to accurately describe microbial community structure and composition. Our objective was to assess the effects of specimen collection method, storage medium, and storage conditions on the relative abundance of taxa in saliva and plaque identified using 16S rRNA genes. We also assessed short-term changes in taxon composition and relative abundance and compared the salivary and dental plaque communities in children and adults. Over a 2-week period, four successive saliva and dental plaque specimens were collected from four adults with no dental decay (108 samples), and two successive specimens were collected from six children with four or more erupted teeth (48 samples). There were minimal differences in community composition at the phylum and operational taxonomic unit levels between dental plaque collection using a scaler and collection using a CytoSoft brush. Plaque samples stored in OMNIgene medium showed higher within-sample Shannon diversity, were compositionally different, and were more similar to each other than plaque stored in liquid dental transport medium. Saliva samples stored in OMNIgene recovered similar communities for at least a week following storage at room temperature. However, the microbial communities recovered from plaque and saliva stored in OMNIgene were significantly different in composition from their counterparts stored in liquid dental transport medium. Dental plaque communities collected from the same tooth type over four successive visits from the same adult did not significantly differ in structure or composition. IMPORTANCE: Large-scale epidemiologic studies require collection over time and space, often with multiple teams collecting, storing, and processing data. Therefore, it is essential to understand how sensitive study results are to modest changes in collection and storage protocols that may occur with variation in personnel, resources available at a study site, and shipping requirements. The research presented in this paper measures the effects of multiple storage parameters and collection methodologies on the measured ecology of the oral microbiome from healthy adults and children. These results will potentially enable investigators to conduct oral microbiome studies at maximal efficiency by guiding informed administrative decisions pertaining to the necessary field or clinical work.

Genome-wide analysis of BMI in adolescents and young adults reveals additional insight into the effects of genetic loci over the life course.

Genetic loci for body mass index (BMI) in adolescence and young adulthood, a period of high risk for weight gain, are understudied, yet may yield important insight into the etiology of obesity and early intervention. To identify novel genetic loci and examine the influence of known loci on BMI during this critical time period in late adolescence and early adulthood, we performed a two-stage meta-analysis using 14 genome-wide association studies in populations of European ancestry with data on BMI between ages 16 and 25 in up to 29 880 individuals. We identified seven independent loci (P < 5.0 × 10⁻8) near FTO (P = 3.72 × 10⁻²³), TMEM18 (P = 3.24 × 10⁻¹7), MC4R (P = 4.41 × 10⁻¹7), TNNI3K (P = 4.32 × 10⁻¹¹), SEC16B (P = 6.24 × 10⁻9), GNPDA2 (P = 1.11 × 10⁻8) and POMC (P = 4.94 × 10⁻8) as well as a potential secondary signal at the POMC locus (rs2118404, P = 2.4 × 10⁻5 after conditioning on the established single-nucleotide polymorphism at this locus) in adolescents and young adults. To evaluate the impact of the established genetic loci on BMI at these young ages, we examined differences between the effect sizes of 32 published BMI loci in European adult populations (aged 18-90) and those observed in our adolescent and young adult meta-analysis. Four loci (near PRKD1, TNNI3K, SEC16B and CADM2) had larger effects and one locus (near SH2B1) had a smaller effect on BMI during adolescence and young adulthood compared with older adults (P < 0.05). These results suggest that genetic loci for BMI can vary in their effects across the life course, underlying the importance of evaluating BMI at different ages.

Effects of enamel matrix genes on dental caries are moderated by fluoride exposures.

Dental caries (tooth decay) is the most common chronic disease, worldwide, affecting most children and adults. Though dental caries is highly heritable, few caries-related genes have been discovered. We investigated whether 18 genetic variants in the group of non-amelogenin enamel matrix genes (AMBN, ENAM, TUFT1, and TFIP11) were associated with dental caries experience in 13 age- and race-stratified samples from six parent studies (N = 3,600). Linear regression was used to model genetic associations and test gene-by-fluoride interaction effects for two sources of fluoride: daily tooth brushing and home water fluoride concentration. Meta-analysis was used to combine results across five child and eight adult samples. We observed the statistically significant association of rs2337359 upstream of TUFT1 with dental caries experience via meta-analysis across adult samples (p < 0.002) and the suggestive association for multiple variants in TFIP11 across child samples (p < 0.05). Moreover, we discovered two genetic variants (rs2337359 upstream of TUFT1 and missense rs7439186 in AMBN) involved in gene-by-fluoride interactions. For each interaction, participants with the risk allele/genotype exhibited greater dental caries experience only if they were not exposed to the source of fluoride. Altogether, these results confirm that variation in enamel matrix genes contributes to individual differences in dental caries liability, and demonstrate that the effects of these genes may be moderated by protective fluoride exposures. In short, genes may exert greater influence on dental caries in unprotected environments, or equivalently, the protective effects of fluoride may obviate the effects of genetic risk alleles.

Association of Early Childhood Caries with Bitter Taste Receptors: A Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies and Transcriptome-Wide Association Study.

Although genetics affects early childhood caries (ECC) risk, few studies have focused on finding its specific genetic determinants. Here, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in five cohorts of children (aged up to 5 years, total N = 2974, cohorts: Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia cohorts one and two [COHRA1, COHRA2], Iowa Fluoride Study, Iowa Head Start, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children [ALSPAC]) aiming to identify genes with potential roles in ECC biology. We meta-analyzed the GWASs testing ~3.9 million genetic variants and found suggestive evidence for association at genetic regions previously associated with caries in primary and permanent dentition, including the ß-defensin anti-microbial proteins. We then integrated the meta-analysis results with gene expression data in a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS). This approach identified four genes whose genetically predicted expression was associated with ECC (p-values < 3.09 × 10−6; CDH17, TAS2R43, SMIM10L1, TAS2R14). Some of the strongest associations were with genes encoding members of the bitter taste receptor family (TAS2R); other members of this family have previously been associated with caries. Of note, we identified the receptor encoded by TAS2R14, which stimulates innate immunity and anti-microbial defense in response to molecules released by the cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus. These findings provide insight into ECC genetic architecture, underscore the importance of host-microbial interaction in caries risk, and identify novel risk genes.

Three-dimensional modeling and finite element analysis in treatment planning for orthodontic tooth movement.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the potential of 3-dimensional modeling and finite element analysis as clinical tools in treatment planning for orthodontic tooth movement. High stresses in bone and miniscrew implants under load can cause fractures and trauma for orthodontic patients, and treatments are typically planned by using clinical experience or simple 2-dimensional radiographs. METHODS: Anatomically accurate 3-dimensional models reconstructed from cone-beam computed tomography scans were used to simulate the retraction of a single-rooted mandibular canine with a miniscrew placed as skeletal anchorage. Detailed stress distributions in the implant and peri-implant bone were found, in addition to the effect of the orthodontic bracket hook length and the angulation of retraction force on stress response in the periodontal ligament (PDL). RESULTS: The numeric results showed that the equivalent von Mises stress on the miniscrew under a 200-cN tangential load reached 42 MPa at the first thread recession, whereas von Mises stress in the peri-implant bone only reached 11 MPa below the neck. High tightening loads of 200 N·mm of torsion and 460 cN of axial compression resulted in much greater bone and implant von Mises stresses than tangential loading, exceeding the yield strengths of the titanium alloy and the cortical bone. Increasing the hook length on the orthodontic bracket effectively reduced the canine PDL stress from 80 kPa with no hook to 22 kPa with a hook 7 mm long. Angulating the force apically downward from 0° to 30° had a less significant effect on the PDL stress profile and initial canine deflection. The results suggest that stresses on miniscrew implants under load are sensitive to changes in diameter. Overtightening a miniscrew after placement might be a more likely cause of fracture failure and bone trauma than application of tangential orthodontic force. The reduction of stress along the PDL as a result of increasing the bracket hook length might account for steadier tooth translation by force application closer to the center of resistance of a single-rooted canine. The relatively minor effect of force angulation on the PDL response suggests that the vertical placement of miniscrews in keratinized or nonkeratinized tissue might not significantly affect orthodontic tooth movement. CONCLUSIONS: This model can be adapted as a patient-specific clinical orthodontic tool for planning movement of 1 tooth or several teeth.

Use of 16S ribosomal RNA gene analyses to characterize the bacterial signature associated with poor oral health in West Virginia.

BACKGROUND: West Virginia has the worst oral health in the United States, but the reasons for this are unclear. This pilot study explored the etiology of this disparity using culture-independent analyses to identify bacterial species associated with oral disease. METHODS: Bacteria in subgingival plaque samples from twelve participants in two independent West Virginia dental-related studies were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray (HOMIM) analysis. Unifrac analysis was used to characterize phylogenetic differences between bacterial communities obtained from plaque of participants with low or high oral disease, which was further evaluated using clustering and Principal Coordinate Analysis. RESULTS: Statistically different bacterial signatures (P<0.001) were identified in subgingival plaque of individuals with low or high oral disease in West Virginia based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Low disease contained a high frequency of Veillonella and Streptococcus, with a moderate number of Capnocytophaga. High disease exhibited substantially increased bacterial diversity and included a large proportion of Clostridiales cluster bacteria (Selenomonas, Eubacterium, Dialister). Phylogenetic trees constructed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that Clostridiales were repeated colonizers in plaque associated with high oral disease, providing evidence that the oral environment is somehow influencing the bacterial signature linked to disease. CONCLUSIONS: Culture-independent analyses identified an atypical bacterial signature associated with high oral disease in West Virginians and provided evidence that the oral environment influenced this signature. Both findings provide insight into the etiology of the oral disparity in West Virginia.

Oral health and related risk indicators in north-central Appalachia differ by rurality.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study assessed differences in oral health and related behaviours and risk indicators by rurality in a north-central Appalachian population using the Andersen behavioural model as a conceptual framework. METHODS: Participants were residents aged 18-59 years (n = 1311) from the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, selected according to a household-based sampling strategy. Rural-Urban Continuum codes (RUC) corresponding to the participants' residences were used to classify participants as rural or urban. Mixed models were used to test rural-urban differences in measures of oral health, related behaviours, and need, enabling, and predisposing risk indicators. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables: age, sex, race, income, perceived socioeconomic status, educational attainment and dental insurance. RESULTS: Rural residents had poorer oral health overall, with fewer sound teeth (ß = -1.79), more dental caries (ß = 0.27) and higher rates of edentulism (5.2% vs 2.8%). Differences also were observed for dental care utilization and perceived barriers to care. Rural residents were less likely to attend dental visits as often as needed (26.9% vs 42.8%) and were more prone to seek care only after experiencing a dental problem (64.3% vs 43.9%). Rural residents also were more likely to report high costs (89% vs 62.6%) as a major reason for not having dental visits. Rural-urban differences for some oral health characteristics and behaviours could be explained by sociodemographic characteristics, whereas others could not. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed rural-urban differences in risk indicators and oral health outcomes in north-central Appalachia. Many of these differences were explained, completely or partly, by sociodemographic factors.

Predictors of use of dental care by children in north-central Appalachia in the USA.

Use of dental services in childhood, especially preventive care, is associated with many important oral health outcomes throughout life. The Andersen behavioral model of healthcare utilization posits that predisposing characteristics, enabling resources, and need factors predict utilization in oral and other healthcare domains. Inequities that produce lower utilization of dental services in north-central Appalachia have been documented in comparison to the USA generally. Additionally, within Appalachia, there are disparities, such as those across different states related to varying public policies and resources supporting healthcare. Predictors of dental utilization in Appalachia have been a focus in adults, but less so in children. The aim of the current study was to understand predictors of dental utilization in children in north-central Appalachia in order to inform future research about how to intervene to address these disparities. In this study, there were 1,178 children, ages 1 through 10 years, from selected representative counties in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, along with a parent/caregiver, who were part of the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA1) cohort. Use of dental services by their child was indicated by parents/caregivers, who also reported on sociodemographic, dental care-related anxiety and fear, and values and attitudes associated with oral healthcare. Results indicated that use of professional dental services by children was related to child age, dental anxiety and fear, and parental oral health values and attitudes. Older children in this age group, those who evidenced more dental care-related anxiety and fear, and whose parent/caregiver placed higher value on oral health and healthcare for themselves, were more likely to have had a dental visit in the past year.

Self-reported dental hygiene, obesity, and systemic inflammation in a pediatric rural community cohort.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of epidemiologic evidence links oral health, obesity, and cardiovascular health, though few studies have reported on these relationships in children. While underlying mechanisms are unclear, adult studies have suggested sub-acute systemic inflammation, also implicated in the etiology of both obesity and cardiovascular disease. This study investigated associations between self-reported dental hygiene, obesity, and systemic inflammation in children. METHODS: 128 children < 19 years of age from rural counties in West Virginia participated in a community-based health screening that included anthropometric assessments, blood collection, and a questionnaire about dental hygiene and self-assessed oral health. RESULTS: Participants ranged from 3.0-18.7 years. Univariate analysis demonstrated an association between parent-reported dental hygiene, including frequency of preventive dental care and parent-assessed overall dental health, and markers of systemic inflammation but not obesity. In multivariable regression, parent-assessed overall dental health and obesity were independent predictors of systemic inflammation, after adjustment for age, gender, and parent education. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first known study of the association between dental hygiene, obesity, and systemic inflammation in children. These results highlight the importance of preventive dental care in overall, systemic health in children and are consistent with previous reports in adults.

Association between a child's caries experience and the mother's perception of her child's oral health status.

BACKGROUND: Mothers play a primary role in the health of their children. This role may be of particular importance for children in Appalachia who have increased caries relative to children in other regions of the United States. The authors examined the degree to which a child's caries experience was in concordance with the mother's perception of the health of her child's teeth, and how concordance varied by sociodemographic factors. METHODS: The authors obtained cross-sectional data on mother-child dyads with children younger than 6 years through the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia study. They interviewed and clinically examined a community-based sample of 815 mother-child dyads from Pennsylvania and West Virginia. They used an unadjusted zero-inflated negative binomial model to estimate the association between a mother's perception of her child's oral health status and her child's caries. The authors compared sociodemographic factors between concordant and nonconcordant mother-child dyads using χ2 tests. RESULTS: The mother's perception of her child's oral health status was associated with the child's caries experience (P < .001). Two-thirds of mother-child dyads showed concordance between the mother's perception of her child's oral health status and the child's caries experience (n = 522, 64%). Concordance was associated with younger child age and the child having dental insurance (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: On average, mothers accurately perceived their child's caries experience. This accuracy was higher for younger children and children with dental insurance. The mother's awareness of her child's oral health status could be used to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies, particularly for young children vulnerable to caries.

Mother's Perceived Social Support and Children's Dental Caries in Northern Appalachia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine whether perceived social support among mothers with high levels of dental caries was associated with their children experiencing high levels of dental caries. Methods: In West Virginia and Pennsylvania from 2002 to 2009, mothers were interviewed and clinical exams were conducted on their one- to six-year-old children. Two hundred and fifty mother-child dyads were analyzed where the mother had high dental caries. Mothers reported perceived social support across four domains (appraisal, tangible, self-esteem, belonging) from the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List instrument (ISEL), with higher scores representing greater support. The association between each social support domain and the probability of high child dental caries was examined. Results: Twenty-seven percent of children (67 out of 250) had high dental caries, and the odds of children having high caries was lower by seven percent for every one point increase in the ISEL appraisal score (odds ratio equals 0.93; 95 percent confidence interval equals 0.88, 0.99). Tangible, self-esteem, and belonging social support ISEL subscales were not significantly associated with high child dental caries (P>0.05). Conclusions: Among mothers with high dental caries, there was modest evidence that appraisal support-the perceived availability of someone to talk to about problems-was associated with lower odds of their children having high dental caries. (Pediatr Dent 2019;41(3):200-5) Received December 2, 2018 | Last Revision April 19, 2019 | Accepted April 22, 2019.

Predictors of dental care utilization in north-central Appalachia in the USA.

OBJECTIVES: Dental utilization is an important determinant of oral health and well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential associations between a variety of biopsychosocial factors and dental utilization in north-central Appalachia, USA, a region where oral health disparities are profound. METHODS: This study used household-based data from the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA1) study in north-central Appalachia, including 449 families with 868 adults. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach was used to determine the best-fitting predictor model for dental utilization among adult family members. RESULTS: On average across West Virginia and Pennsylvania, having dental insurance was associated with greater dental utilization over a 3-year time period (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.54, 3.14). When stratified by state, the association held for only West Virginia (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.54, 3.79) and was nonsignificant for Pennsylvania residents (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 0.80, 2.79). Individuals from Pennsylvania were more likely to utilize dental care and participants from West Virginia less so (2.31, 95% CI = 1.57, 3.40). Females from Pennsylvania were more likely than males to regularly seek dental care (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.00, 2.05), and a higher income was associated with greater frequency of regular dental visits (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.34) in West Virginia. Individuals from Pennsylvania who scored higher on the Physiological Arousal subscale of the Dental Fear Survey were more likely to attend routine care visits (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.35). Across both states, more fatalistic beliefs related to oral health care also predicted less routine care (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.81, 0.94), and more investment in or more positive attitudes towards one's oral health also was associated with higher utilization (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.13, 1.23). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings of this study suggest state residency, sex, insurance, income, fatalistic beliefs, health values, and aspects of dental care-related anxiety and fear predicted dental care utilization in north-central Appalachia. These findings reinforce the need to address insurance and other economic factors affecting utilization and to consider how individual-level fatalistic beliefs and oral health values may affect utilization of routine oral health care.

Cognitive function and oral health among community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND: Both oral health problems and cognitive impairment are relatively common among older adults. Poorer oral health appears to contribute to a decline in quality of life and to be related to various medical conditions. Little is known about the relationship of cognitive function to oral health among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: The sample included 1984 dentate community-dwelling older adults 60 years old or older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999-2002) who completed both the study cognitive measure and dental examination. Weighted descriptive and multivariate regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses showed that cognitive function was associated with oral health. Individuals with lower cognitive scores had a higher number of decayed and missing teeth and a higher proportion of periodontitis sites. The predicted number of decayed teeth increased by 0.01 with each 1-point decrease in the Digit Symbol Substitution Test score; the number of missing teeth increased by 0.02; and the percentage of sites with periodontal disease increased by 0.02. In addition, individuals' sociodemographic characteristics, health behavior, and regular dental checkups were significantly associated with oral health. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that community-dwelling elders with lower cognitive function scores have greater deterioration of oral health. This study provides a preliminary knowledge base for the development of early intervention strategies to address oral health problems among older adults.

Oral health disparities in Appalachia: orthodontic treatment need and demand.

BACKGROUND: Significant oral health disparities affect people in West Virginia and elsewhere in Appalachia. Although oral diseases such as caries are a major problem, little is known about the occlusal status of this under-served group. METHODS: Fifty-eight adolescents (ages 12-17 years) and 78 of their parents underwent an orthodontic examination as part of a larger study on oral health in two rural West Virginia counties. Two orthodontists used a standardized index to rate their need for orthodontic care. Participants were interviewed regarding their demand for and history of orthodontic care. RESULTS: The study results show that parents had a high rate of complete or partial edentulism, an infrequent history of orthodontic treatment, great unmet orthodontic need and less demand for orthodontic care than was suggested by their clinically determined need. The adolescents were similar to national norms with regard to orthodontic treatment history and need, but lower with regard to demand. CONCLUSIONS: The adolescents' similarity to general population norms with regard to previous orthodontic care and level of occlusal status is promising. Nevertheless, their lower recognition of a need for treatment suggests possible future oral health problems and a lower oral health quality of life. Their parents, however, were considerably worse off, in comparison with their adolescent children and adult comparison samples, with regard to orthodontic care and other oral health status measures. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Culturally sensitive psychoeducational methods to promote recognition of oral health needs may be required among adolescents in Appalachia to have an impact on oral health values and to prevent oral health problems. Issues of orthodontic care utilization and, perhaps, access to care need to be addressed among adults in Appalachia.

Increasing minority enrollment utilizing dental admissions workshop strategies.

Oral Health in America, the landmark U.S. surgeon general's report, inextricably connects oral health disparities with poor access to oral care by vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the report associates an insufficiently diverse dental workforce with oral health disparities among some minority groups. Successful strategies to curtail oral health disparities and remedy work-force issues require collaboration among all involved in dental education. As gatekeepers to dental programs, admissions committees are significant stakeholders in diversifying the dental workforce. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that a workshop on diversity in admissions can modify the perceptions of individuals involved in the student recruitment and admissions processes and lead to increased matriculation of underrepresented minority students. Emerging from the workshop were key concepts and action steps for promoting a holistic review of dental applicants. Results since implementing the workshop recommendations have been positive, with underrepresented minority dental student acceptances increasing sixfold. The workshop was cosponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and facilitated by two nationally recognized dental educators.

Study protocol of the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA) etiology study.

BACKGROUND: People in Appalachia experience some of the worst oral health in the United States. To develop effective intervention and prevention strategies in Appalachia, we must understand the complex relationships among the contributing factors and how they affect the etiology of oral diseases. To date, no such comprehensive analysis has been conducted. This report summarizes the characteristics of the sample and describes the protocol of a study determining contributions of individual, family, and community factors to oral diseases in Appalachian children and their relatives. METHODS/DESIGN: Families participated in a comprehensive assessment protocol involving interviews, questionnaires, a clinical oral health assessment, a microbiological assessment, and collection of DNA. The design of the study is cross-sectional. CONCLUSION: Due to its multilevel design and large, family-based sample, this study has the potential to greatly advance our understanding of factors that contribute to oral health in Appalachian children.