Other
Sofia Testai, Research Volunteer
Research Volunteer
UIC Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Flavia Lamberghini, DDS, MS, MPH
UIC Clinical Associate Professor
Title (Optional)
University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Pediatric Dentistry
CHICAGO, Illinois, United States
Brittaney J. Hill, DDS, MS, MPH
Program Director
University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Purpose:
The study aims to compare major oral health indicators between the United States (US) and the World.
Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) databases were compared. Oral diseases are the most common diseases worldwide affecting 3.5 billion people. Untreated caries is the most prevalent oral disease reaching 42.6% in the US and 43% globally in primary teeth, and 24.3% in the US and 29% globally in the adult dentition. Periodontal disease prevalence is 15.7% in the US and 19% worldwide; and edentulism is 10.2% in the US and 7% globally. Oral cancer, per 100 000 people, affects 4.2 people in the US (6 males, 2.6 females) and 9.5 (13.1 males, 5 females) globally. Sugar consumption, the main risk factor for caries, surpassed the WHO recommended daily dose by both groups. For cancer, tobacco use is comparable in the US and globally, 23.4% and 22.3% respectively; and alcohol consumption is 10% in the US and 5.8% globally. Oral Health (OH) workforce plays a role in access to care, the US totals 6.1 dentists and the World 3.28 dentists per 10 000 people. The per capita yearly expenditure also reveals discrepancies, $405 in the US against $50 globally. Despite the US counting with a larger workforce and greater finances, most oral health care indicators investigated are similar to those of the World. US Public Health measures should prioritize to lower the prevalence of OH diseases in the population.
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