Linda M. Kaste

Sex/Gender Differences in Tooth Loss and Edentulism: Historical Perspectives, Biological Factors, and Sociologic Reasons

This review highlights what is known regarding differences in tooth loss by sex/gender, and describes: gender-related tooth ablation (the deliberate removal of anterior teeth during life) found in skulls from history and prehistory; potential mediators of the relationship between sex/gender and tooth loss; the current epidemiology of gender differences in tooth loss (limited to North America); and risk factors for tooth loss in the general population and in women.

Prevalence of periodontitis according to Hispanic or Latino background among study participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

BACKGROUNDnHispanics and Latinos are an ethnically heterogeneous population with distinct oral health risk profiles. Few study investigators have examined potential variation in the burden of periodontitis according to Hispanic or Latino background.nnnMETHODSnThe authors used a multicenter longitudinal population-based cohort study to examine the periodontal health status at screening (2008-2011) of 14,006 Hispanic and Latino adults, aged 18 to 74 years, from four U.S. communities who self-identified as Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Central American or South American. The authors present weighted, age-standardized prevalence estimates and corrected standard errors of probing depth (PD), attachment loss (AL) and periodontitis classified according to the case definition established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology (CDC-AAP). The authors used a Wald χ(2) test to compare prevalence estimates across Hispanic or Latino background, age and sex.nnnRESULTSnFifty-one percent of all participants had exhibited total periodontitis (mild, moderate or severe) per the CDC-AAP classification. Cubans and Central Americans exhibited the highest prevalence of moderate periodontitis (39.9 percent and 37.2 percent, respectively). Across all ages, Mexicans had the highest prevalence of PD across severity thresholds. Among those aged 18 through 44 years, Dominicans consistently had the lowest prevalence of AL at all severity thresholds.nnnCONCLUSIONSnMeasures of periodontitis varied significantly by age, sex and Hispanic or Latino background among the four sampled Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos communities. Further analyses are needed to account for lifestyle, behavioral, demographic and social factors, including those related to acculturation.nnnPRACTICAL IMPLICATIONSnAggregating Hispanics and Latinos or using estimates from Mexicans may lead to substantial underestimation or overestimation of the burden of disease, thus leading to errors in the estimation of needed clinical and public health resources. This information will be useful in informing decisions from public health planning to patient-centered risk assessment.

Heterogeneity in periodontitis prevalence in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

PURPOSEnThe aim of the study was to examine acculturation and established risk factors in explaining variation in periodontitis prevalence among Hispanic/Latino subgroups.nnnMETHODSnParticipants were 12,730 dentate adults aged 18-74 years recruited into the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) from four U.S. field centers between 2008 and 2011. A standardized periodontal assessment measured probing pocket depth and gingival recession at six sites per tooth for up to 28 teeth. Periodontitis was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Academy of Periodontology case classifications developed for population surveillance. Covariates included acculturation indicators and established periodontitis risk factors. Survey estimation procedures took account of the complex sampling design. Adjusted multivariate binomial regression estimated prevalence ratios and 95% confidence limits (CLs).nnnRESULTSnUnadjusted prevalence of moderate and severe periodontitis was 38.5% and ranged from 24.7% among Dominicans to 52.1% among Cubans. Adjusted prevalence ratios for subgroups relative to Dominicans were as follows: (1) 1.34 (95% CL, 1.13-1.58) among South Americans; (2) 1.37 (95% CL, 1.17-1.61) among Puerto Ricans; (3) 1.43 (95% CL, 1.25-1.64) among Mexicans; (4) 1.53 (95% CL, 1.32-1.76) among Cubans; and (5) 1.55 (95% CL, 1.35-1.78) among Central Americans.nnnCONCLUSIONSnHeterogeneity in prevalence of moderate/severe periodontitis among Hispanic/Latino subpopulations was not explained by acculturation or periodontitis risk factors.

The prevalence of caries and tooth loss among participants in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

BACKGROUNDnThe Hispanic and Latino population is projected to increase from 16.7 percent to 30.0 percent by 2050. Previous U.S. national surveys had minimal representation of Hispanic and Latino participants other than Mexicans, despite evidence suggesting that Hispanic or Latino country of origin and degree of acculturation influence health outcomes in this population. In this article, the authors describe the prevalence and mean number of cavitated, decayed and filled surfaces, missing teeth and edentulism among Hispanics and Latinos of different national origins.nnnMETHODSnInvestigators in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)-a multicenter epidemiologic study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute with funds transferred from six other institutes, including the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research-conducted in-person examinations and interviews with more than 16,000 participants aged 18 to 74 years in four U.S. cities between March 2008 and June 2011. The investigators identified missing, filled and decayed teeth according to a modified version of methods used in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The authors computed prevalence estimates (weighted percentages), weighted means and standard errors for measures.nnnRESULTSnThe prevalence of decayed surfaces ranged from 20.2 percent to 35.5 percent, depending on Hispanic or Latino background, whereas the prevalence of decayed and filled surfaces ranged from 82.7 percent to 87.0 percent, indicating substantial amounts of dental treatment. The prevalence of missing teeth ranged from 49.8 percent to 63.8 percent and differed according to Hispanic or Latino background. Significant differences in the mean number of decayed surfaces, decayed or filled surfaces and missing teeth according to Hispanic and Latino background existed within each of the age groups and between women and men.nnnCONCLUSIONSnOral health status differs according to Hispanic or Latino background, even with adjustment for age, sex and other characteristics.nnnPRACTICAL IMPLICATIONSnThese data indicate that Hispanics and Latinos in the United States receive restorative dental treatment and that practitioners should consider the association between Hispanic or Latino origin and oral health status. This could mean that dental practices in areas dominated by patients from a single Hispanic or Latino background can anticipate a practice based on a specific pattern of treatment needs.

Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer in Women

Although in the United States the incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) has been significantly higher in men than in women, the identification of human papilloma virus as a risk factor for OPC has focused new scrutiny on who may develop OPC. One surprising element is that non-Hispanic white women have a higher incidence of OPC than of cervical cancer. OPC is thus a womans disease, and diligence is needed to ensure that the occurrence of OPC in women does not go undetected by their oral health care providers.

Associations of the type of childcare with reported preventive medical and dental care utilization for 1- to 5-year-old children in the United States

OBJECTIVEnDespite that the majority of US children use nonparental childcare (NPC), research examining its effects on childrens preventive healthcare utilization is lacking. Our aim was to contrast NPC against parental childcare in terms of preventive medical and dental care utilization.nnnMETHODSnAssociations of childcare and healthcare utilization were evaluated using the 2007 National Survey of Childrens Health, a telephone interview of parent-reported childrens health (22,773 children ages 1- to 5-year old). The type of childcare was categorized as parental care, center-based care (CBC), nonrelative home care (NRHC), relative care (RCC), and mixed care (MCC). The outcome measures were preventive medical care (≥ 1 physical examination/well child check-up visit) and preventive dental care (≥ 1 check-ups/dental cleanings visit) during the past 12 months.nnnRESULTSnOverall, 94.7% of 1- to 5-year-old children received preventive medical care, while only 53.6% received preventive dental care. The highest odds for preventive medical care was for 1- to 2-year-old children utilizing CBC [Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.11-7.30] and for 3- to 5-year-old children utilizing MCC (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.23-3.26) followed by CBC (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.13-2.42). Considering preventive dental care, a statistically significant increase occurred for 1- to 2-year-old children with CBC (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.62-2.30), and none occurred for any NPC above the parental childcare rates for 3- to 5-year-old children.nnnCONCLUSIONSnChildcare use, particularly center-based care, may provide a means to raise preventive healthcare utilization for young children. Future regulations, as well as policy and program development, should consider promoting childcare settings as a means to improve preventive health care utilization.

Prenuptial Dental Extractions in Acadian Women: First Report of a Cultural Tradition

BACKGROUNDnPrenuptial tooth extractions, extractions of all teeth in at least one dental arch before marriage, are not identified in the dental literature. Driven by a professional encounter, the purpose of this study was to confirm the existence of this practice among Acadian women.nnnMETHODSnAn 8-item survey instrument with space for comments was mailed to 182 dentists from traditionally Acadian regions of Canada. The survey was provided in English and French.nnnRESULTSnNinety dentists responded (50.3%); 8 of them (9%) had been asked to perform prenuptial extractions, and an additional 9 volunteered awareness of this practice. Awareness and requests were associated with dental practice in a county with a ≥20% French-speaking population.nnnCONCLUSIONSnPrenuptial extractions in this population have been confirmed by the current cohort of dentists. The potential public health, clinical, and systemic health research implications for women who are edentulous for most of their adult life merit further study. Additionally, it is important to determine if interventions are needed to curtail cultural expectations of such practices.

Emerging Topics for Dentists as Primary Care Providers

Modifications of the traditional dental workforce have been proposed. The focus of this article is on expanding the role of the dentist as a primary health care provider, and includes topics that are emerging in the realm of general dentistry for further integration into primary health care and womens health. The evidence base for the clinical application of these topics in dentistry is under development. In the near future, dentistry will have core competencies involving the topics discussed in this article as well as other new interdisciplinary health care aspects to enhance the overall health and well-being of patients.

Comparison of Systemic Health Conditions between African American and Caucasian Complete Denture Patients

PURPOSEnTo compare prevalence of systemic health conditions (SHC) between African American and Caucasian edentulous patients presenting for complete dentures (CD) at an urban dental school.nnnMETHODSnThe study included patients presenting for CD 1/1-12/31/2010, ages 20 to 64 years, and either African American or Caucasian. Covariates included: age group, gender, employment status, Medicaid status, smoking history, and alcohol consumption. SHC included at least one of the following: arthritis, asthma, cancer, diabetes, emphysema, heart attack, heart murmur, heart surgery, hypertension, or stroke.nnnRESULTSnThe group (n = 88) was 44.3% African American, 65.9% ≥50, 45.5% male, 22.7% employed, and 67.0% with at least one SHC. African Americans were older (p = 0.001) and more likely to have one or more SHC (p = 0.011). Patients with at least one SHC were older (p = 0.018) and more likely female (p = 0.012). The total sample logistic regression model assessing SHC yielded only gender as statistically significant (males < OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.92). Caucasian males were less likely to have SHC (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.77), and Caucasians ≥50 were more likely (OR 5.36, 95% CI 1.19 to 24.08). African Americans yielded no significant associations.nnnCONCLUSIONSnAmong selected completely edentulous denture patients at an urban dental school, two out of three patients had at least one SHC. This exploratory study suggests there may be health status differences between African American and Caucasian patients in this setting, calling for further study.

Women’s Oral Health: Growing Evidence for Enhancing Perspectives

Womens health, including oral health, is an evolving science with foundation knowledge from many disciplines. Key milestones, particularly in the last decade, provide a roadmap towards the necessary inclusion of gender into dental practice. Such focus is especially important for the evolving role of oral health care providers as primary health care providers. Continued progress of the vibrant incorporation of evidence-based womens oral health into the standard practice of oral health care is encouraged. This expanded preface provides an introduction to this DCNA issue, a brief history and timeline of major womens oral health events, and resources for further consideration.