Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Giang T. Vu, DDS, MS, PhD: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Bert B. Little, M.A., Ph.D.: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Guo-Liang Cheng, DDS, MSD: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Pin Chuang Lai, DDS, PhD: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the association between tooth loss and uncontrolled diabetes among US adults. Methods: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018 data were used in this study. The sample included 16,635 participants aged 20 years and older that represent 187,596,215 individuals in the US in a probability weighted sample. Bivariate analysis and multiple regressions were used to analyze factors associated with edentulism and number of missing teeth. Results: Multiple logistic regression model significantly predicted edentulism using diabetes status (adjusted odds ratio (OR) controlled diabetes=1.44, 95% CI 1.12–1.86; OR uncontrolled diabetes=2.26, 95% CI 1.33–3.85), missing annual dental visits, seeing a dentist only for treatment, family income below 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), female sex, being older ≥65 years, tobacco smoking, and no college education. After controlling for the same covariates, multiple Poisson regression analysis shows that dentate adults with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes had higher relative risk (RR) of tooth loss than those without diabetes (adjusted risk ratio (RR) controlled diabetes=1.52, 95% CI 1.35–1.71; RR uncontrolled diabetes=1.57, 95% CI 1.35–1.83). Conclusions: US adults with uncontrolled (HbA1c ≥9%) and controlled diabetes (HbA1c <9%) were more likely to be edentulous and experience tooth loss compared to adults without diabetes. US health policy officials should adopt benefits policies to provide regular dental check-ups for individuals with diabetes, low income (<200% FPG), or aged ≥65 years to reduce tooth loss and improve their quality of life. Dentists should work with physicians to help patients control glycemic levels.
Source of Funding: This study has no financial support. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.
