Prevalence of oral health problems in U.S. adults, NHANES 1999–2004: exploring differences by age, education, and race/ethnicity

Abstract

Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1999–2004, the authors examined age patterns in oral health indicators by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status related to edentulism, presence of root caries, and periodontal disease. Our analysis included subjects who were non-Hispanic White, Mexican American, and African American over the age of 20, and who participated in the NHANES oral health examination. African Americans experienced more oral health problems at younger ages; as age increased, so did racial disparities in oral health problems. Lower educational attainment was strongly associated with more oral health problems at all ages. These results may indicate a faster progression of oral health problems with age among African Americans, thus suggesting that the “earlier aging” of members of racial/ethnic minorities which has been reported in prior research may also be found in oral health.

Evaluación del estado periodontal en una población afro-uruguaya residente en Montevideo. Estudio transversal

“…These findings have been detected in several studies (21,37,38) . When we compared our results with other studies, we noticed some difficulties.…”

“…When we compared our results with other studies, we noticed some difficulties. The Community Periodontal Index (CPI) was the most widely used periodontal index mainly in Latin America, which determines categories and definitions of different periodontal disease applied (21,(37)(38)(39) . Another problem was that some studies included two study groups, "whites" and "non-whites", the latter including various races (including Afrodescendants and mulattos) (36) .…”

Evaluation of Plaque Removal Efficacy of a Novel Dye-Containing Toothpaste: A Clinical Trial

“…This is especially important in populations of underrepresented minorities, low socioeconomic status, and the elderly that traditionally have less access to regular professional oral care [4]. Adding a visible dye to toothpaste to disclose remaining plaque after toothbrushing has the potential to enhance patients' awareness and encourage them to be more thorough when performing oral hygiene.…”

A Multilevel Approach on Self-Reported Dental Caries in Subjects of Minority Ethnic Groups: A Cross-Sectional Study of 6440 Adults

“…Disparities in oral health by race/ethnicity have been extensively recognized [9,10] and significant racial/ethnic disparities in the validity of self-reports were manifested [11]. The frequency of untreated caries was more than twice as high for both non-Hispanic black persons and Mexican-American subjects compared with non-Hispanic whites and there were significant differences in the prevalence of untreated dental caries in older adults living in poverty in a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the United States [12].…”

“…Minority ethnic groups in Colombia were also at risk to report oral health problems [15]. Disparities have been attributed to a complicated network of social, psychological, and structural aspects, such as healthcare use or access, nutrition and oral hygiene [9,16]. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether these dissimilarities are genetic or due to other confounding variables such as socioeconomic status, access to dental health care services, cultural or other environmental factors [10].…”