Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Cam-Van T. Huynh, DDS, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Elizabeth Kaye, MPH, PhD: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Mary Tavares, DMD, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Thayer Scott, BS, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: Objective: To examine how acculturation influences adults’ clinical oral health status in various racial/ethnic groups.
Methods: Four cycles of NHANES 2011-2018 were utilized (n=37,399). Multivariate logistic regression and chi-square analysis examined the relationship between acculturation and oral health status. Two proxy variables were used to measure acculturation: time spent in the U.S., and language spoken at home. A dental professional clinically measured poor oral health status, defined as need for immediate dental care. Analysis by cycle was completed to compare oral health status over time.
Results: The acculturation proxy ‘time in the U.S.’ showed a statistically significant increase in odds of needing immediate dental care for individuals living less than 19 years in the U.S. Individuals who spoke Spanish/Other at home had a statistically significant decrease in odds (OR=0.74) of needing immediate dental care. Health insurance and being Mexican American demonstrated the strongest association with clinical oral health status-having double the odds of recommendation for immediate dental care. An increase in insurance coverage was noted in the 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 cycles, corresponding with cycles where recommendation for immediate dental care dropped.
Conclusions: Acculturation is multidimensional, and this study showed that living less time in the U.S resulted in poorer oral health status. More time spent living in the U.S. may lead to adoption of western health standards leading individuals to seek medical care, resulting in better overall health and oral health outcomes. More research is needed to develop a universal acculturation scale.
Source of Funding: None
Affiliations: Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
