Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Raghad Obeidat, BDS, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Lauren Sorto, n/a: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Madhuli Thakkar-Samtani, BDS, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Eric Tranby, PhD: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health (Employee). Peggy Timothe, DDS, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: Objectives: Since it is well known that social determinants of health (SDOH) affect oral health, this study aimed to describe and analyze the impact of various SDOH on tooth loss.
Methods: In a partnership with CareQuest Institute for Oral health, this cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2021 Survey of National Oral Health Equity (n=5,320 ). The outcome variable is self-reported tooth loss due to tooth decay or gum disease. The primary independent variables are various SDOH. Bivariate analysis and six separate multivariable logistic regression models were conducted.
Results: Bivariate analysis revealed that a higher proportion of adults with tooth loss relative to adults without tooth loss experienced food insecurity (30.70% vs 21.50%, P value <. 001) and lack of transportation (14.60% vs 8.10%, P value < .001). However, a statistically significant lower proportion of adults with tooth loss relative to adults without tooth loss reported having dental insurance (66.70% vs 73.00%, P-value < .001). In the adjusted multivariable logistic regression models, adults who reported racial discrimination (aOR= 1.35, 95% CI: [1.17,1,56]), food insecurity (aOR= 1.78, 95% CI: [1.51,2.08]), housing instability (aOR= 1.37, 95% CI: [1.14,1,56]), and lack of transportation (aOR= 1.72, 95% CI: [1.39,2,14]) were more likely to have at least one tooth extracted because of tooth decay or gum disease.
Conclusions: The results of this study reaffirm that SDOH have an impact on oral health. Future studies should focus on how to eliminate discrimination and how to improve people’s access to food, stable housing, transportation, and dental insurance.
Source of Funding: Health Resources and Services Administration Grant: T12HP31894
