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The Impact Of Access To Oral Health Care On Inadequate Oral Health And Multimorbidity, Luis Limo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The connection between oral health and other non-communicable chronic conditions—commonly referred in the dental literature as the oral-systemic health connection—emphasizes the role of oral health care on both oral diseases and chronic conditions, particularly in vulnerable populations like the elderly. This thesis comprises 2 studies: the first is a systematic review on the impact of oral health care interventions, as an indicator of access to oral health care, on chronic conditions of which their co-existence would result in multimorbidity; the second study is a cross-sectional investigation of the associations between oral health, access to oral health care, and multimorbidity among …

Knowledge, Attitude, And Behavioral Intention About Oral Cancer Among Public Health Students In Southeast Georgia, Ravneet Kaur, Gulzar H. Shah

Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Oral cancer (OC) is a significant public health problem; however, the degree to which the future public health workforce is aware of this issue is not well researched. The purpose of this study is to explore the level of knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions about OC among public health students.
Materials and Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed-method research design was employed for this study. Using quantitative and qualitative measures, a survey was administered to 129 public health students. Subsequently, to understand the quantitative findings, two follow-up focus groups were conducted with survey participants.
Results: We found …

Saliva As A Diagnostic Tool To Measure Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure In Dental Patients Exposed To Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv), Aramandla Ramesh, Leslie R. Halpern, Janet H. Southerland, Samuel E. Adunyah, Pandu R. Gangula

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

Background: Social habits such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and chemically contaminated diet contribute to poor oral health. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global public health epidemic which can exacerbate the prevalence of health conditions affecting a victim's lifespan. This study investigates using saliva as a biomarker for detecting levels of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]; a toxicant present in cigarette smoke and barbecued meat in a population of IPV + female patients. Methods: A cross-sectional IRB-approved study utilized 63 female participants (37 African Americans [AA], and 26 non-African Americans [NAA]), who provided consent for the study. Participants submitted samples of saliva, …

Safe, Supportive Neighborhoods: Are They Associated With Childhood Oral Health?, Elizabeth L. Crouch, Joni Nelson, Radhika Ranganathan, Melinda A. Merrell, Amy Martin

Faculty Publications

Objective

There has been limited examination of how community-level supports may influence oral health metrics among children. The purpose of our study is to examine the association between two types of community-level positive childhood experiences and oral healthcare and oral health outcomes among children ages 6 to 17 years of age.

Methods

This study uses a cross-sectional data set from the 2018–2019 National Survey of Children's Health. Two oral health metrics were used: preventive dental care, measured as one or more preventive dental visits in the past 12 months, and tooth decay, measured as tooth decay or cavities in the …

Lgbtq+ And Dental Education: Analyzing The Present And Recommendations For The Future, Colin M. Haley, Diana V. Macri, Herminio L. Perez, Scott B. Schwartz

Publications and Research

LGBTQ+ populations constitute increasing proportions of children, adolescents, and adults in the United States. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, this group suffers from health inequities, including oral health. The report “Oral Health: Advances and Challenges” identified the LGBTQ+ community as an underserved population which faces significant barriers in accessing oral health care. Coverage of LGBTQ+ topics in formal education settings in both dental schools and dental hygiene programs is scarce, which contributes to inequities within this group. Increasing curriculum content related to LGBTQ+ populations is of utmost importance to promote optimal patient-provider interactions while improving oral health outcomes. Ensuring equity …

Precision Dentistry In Practice, Diana V. Macri

Publications and Research

A paradigm shift is necessary to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes. Precision medicine and precision dentistry may be able to shift the burden of disease and improve the nation’s oral and overall health.

Bullied Because Of Their Teeth: Evidence From A Longitudinal Study On The Impact Of Oral Health On Bullying Victimization Among Australian Indigenous Children, Md Irteja Islam, Verity Chadwick, Tuguy Esgin, Alexandra Martiniuk

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Making life better for Indigenous peoples is a global priority. Although bullying and oral health have always been a topic of concern, there is limited information regarding the impact of this problem on the general population, with no evidence in this regard among the Australian Indigenous population. Thus, we aimed to quantify the relationship between bullying victimization and oral health problems by remoteness among 766 Australian Indigenous children aged between 10–15-years using data from the LSIC study. Bivariate and multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression analyses were employed. Findings indicated children self-reported bullying more than parents reported their children were being bullied …

Oral Health Behaviors, Attitudes, And Dental Diseases In Native American/Alaskan Native School-Age Children, Tawanda Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dental disease is a highly preventable pediatric disease, and 70% of Native American/Alaskan Native (NA/AN) preschool children have a history of dental caries, which is 3.5 times higher than in the general population. This study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis examining the impact of oral health behaviors and attitudes of NA/AN parents and guardians on dental disease in NA/AN school-age children. The impact of frequency of flossing and brushing, consumption of sugary foods, dental visits, dental attendance reason, sealants, fluoride treatment, and oral health education by NA/AN parents and guardians on children’s caries and periodontal diseases status was explored. Additionally, …

The Impact Of Oral Health On Low-Income Pregnant Women Living In The United States, Olivia Ward, Jill Jacobs Diss

College of Health Sciences Posters

Introduction: Oral health has a significant impact on pregnancy outcomes. Inter-professional collaboration can assist in bridging the gap between oral and systemic health and assist in optimizing the health of low-income pregnant women, infants, and children.

Methods: A literature review was used to ascertain the impact of oral health on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Research sources used in this literature review were gathered from the U.S. National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, PubMed, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Elsevier, Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), the Office of the Surgeon General, and Google Scholars. …

Disparities In Caregiver-Reported Dental Cavities And Toothaches Among Children In The Special Supplemental Nutrition For Women, Infants, And Children (Wic) Program, Denise M. Claiborne, Chun Chen, Qi Zhang

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: Dental caries is prevalent among low-income and minority children despite oral health promotion programs. The purpose of this study was to examine disparities associated with caregiver-reported cavities and toothaches among children in the United States aged 2-4 years by their eligibility for and participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed using the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) data on children aged 2-4 years (n=7,719) with complete WIC participation information. Three groups were formed based on WIC eligibility and participation status: WIC participants, income-eligible non-participants, …

Oral Health For Older Adults: Policy Barriers And Opportunities, Stephanie De Sam Lazaro, Juliette Kline

Occupational Therapy Faculty Scholarship

Tooth decay and gum disease are two of the most common chronic health conditions in the United States, are reversible and preventable, and impact approximately 68% of older adults nationwide (CDC, 2021; World Health Organization, 2020). While the Affordable Care Act added provisions to health prevention services, oral health prevention coverage was only included for children, leaving many adults and older adults without coverage (Nasseh & Vujicic, 2017). The research team used a rapid review process using 17 key search term combinations to identify literature in three medical databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Consumer Health Complete) to identify system and policy …

Use Of Internet Platforms For Information About Sensitive Teeth Among Indonesian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study, Safira Khairina, Diah Ayu Maharani, Yasemin Yavuz, Febriana Setiawati

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The behavior of seeking oral health information (OHI), especially the topic of sensitive teeth (ST), among the Indonesian adult population has rarely been studied. Hence, the current work aimed to analyze the characteristics of the Indonesian adult population who reported having ST and to explore their practice of self-medication in terms of their behavior of seeking OHI on the internet.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2021 in Indonesia. This study used a self-administered questionnaire comprising questions about sociodemographic data, oral health behavior, diet, and subjective oral health. Bivariate analysis based on a …

Addressing Oral Health Inequities Through Community Based Programs: Opportunities For Interprofessional Teams, Stephanie De Sam Lazaro, Rachel Mcpherson, Annalise Wallerich

Occupational Therapy Faculty Scholarship

Learning Outcomes of the presentation were for participants to:1. Identify the importance of addressing oral health with all of their clients.2. Recognize strategies that can be used by various professionals to prevent oral health issues.3. Summarize interprofessional teaming opportunities to combat oral health inequities.

Mapping Nevada's Dental Workforce, Kelvin Chen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Access to care is a concern at the forefront of public health. Due to socioeconomic and geopolitical pressures, the distribution of healthcare providers across a population often does not coincide with the demand for healthcare in a specific geographic area. Rural areas typically do not have enough providers and urban areas typically have too many. This stark reality underscores an inherent inefficiency in the allocation of healthcare resources and is a discrepancy that must be addressed by state-sponsored institutions and programs. From a public health perspective, the problem of insufficient or lack of access to care is the greater of …

A Scoping Review Of The Roles, Training, And Impact Of Community Health Workers In Oral Health Supplemental Tables, Dina T. Garcia, Jaime Lawson, Erica R. Brody, Susan C. Mckernan, Sarah E. Raskin, Nixon Arauz, Maghboeba Mosavel, Tegwyn Brickhouse

Health Behavior and Policy Publications

Objective: To synthesize English or Spanish-language literature on community health workers’ (CHWs’) roles, training, and impact in oral health. Basic research design: A scoping review conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) methodological framework. Method: Electronic literature searches were conducted in Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), DOSS, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Global Health CAB from inception of the databases to April 2020. Three reviewers independently conducted the title and abstract and full-text reviews. This was followed by data charting by three reviewers and data summarizing by two reviewers. Results: Out of the 36 articles that met the inclusion …

Psychosocial Impacts Of Fixed Orthodontic Treatment In Lahore, Pakistan, Hazik Bin Shahzad, Dalia Iftikhar, Noor Ul Huda, Nayha Enver, Faiza Awais, Shabbir Hussain

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The aim of this study is to assess psychosocial impacts on oral health-related quality of life between individuals currently undergoing orthodontic treatment and those who have completed treatment.

Methods: A total of 135 individuals were selected from the Orthodontic Department at Rashid Latif Dental Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Current and previous orthodontic treatments were recorded. A questionnaire on oral impacts on daily performance was used to assess functional, psychological, and social limitations.

Results: The most prevalent psychosocial impact was difficulty in smiling/laughing (26.6%). Logistic regression analysis showed that individuals currently undergoing orthodontic treatment are 2.9 times more …

Oral Health-Related Quality Of Life In Us Adults With Type 2 Diabetes., Giang Truong Vu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focused on the relationship between type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and the factors associated with this relationship in the US. The objectives of the dissertation research were a three-part process: (1) to understand the relationships of T2DM with poor OHRQoL, clarify risk and preventive factors that affect this association, and identify research gaps in the literature, (2) to analyze risk factors associated with poor OHRQoL in US adults with T2DM using a nationally representative random probability cluster sample, and (3) to apply structural equation modeling (SEM) to a simplified Andersen’s Behavioral Model …

Oral Health Related Quality Of Life In Stroke Survivors At Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre: A Pilot Study, In Meei Tew, Chui Ling Goo, Shahida Mohd Said, Hafizul Izwan Zahari, Noor Amalina Ali, Fatin Athirah Masawi, Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz, Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Despite being a common problem, long-term disability following stroke often improves after survivors receive regular rehabilitative therapy. This study aimed to assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of stroke survivors who had access to a community-based rehabilitation centre after hospital discharge.

Methods: Dentate post-stroke patients receiving regular rehabilitative care with slight to moderate dependency (Barthel Index >70) and without severe cognitive impairment were involved in this study. The OHRQoL parameters were measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and EuroQol five dimensions (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaires.

Results: Thirty one patients were recruited in this study. …

The Impact Of Dental Caries On Oral Health Related Quality Of Life Amongst Adult Population In Lahore, Pakistan, Hazik Bin Shahzad, Faiza Awais, Um-E-Rubab Shirazi, Hanna Abdul Majeed, Aqeela Rafique, Maliha Shahbaz

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Dental caries in adults is a public health problem. A comprehensive assessment of the association between caries and Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) measures is essential for understanding how it impacts the daily life of people and for assessing their oral health needs.

Methods: The survey was conducted at Rashid Latif Dental Hospital, from March-June 2019. A total of 373 adults aged 18-80 years were randomly enrolled in the study. Dental caries was the main exposure, measured clinically. The OHRQoL was measured through Oral Impacts on Daily performance (OIDP) questionnaire. Caries was dichotomized and the relationship to …

Fluoridation: Our History, Our Legacy, James Wieland Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

2020 marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s most dramatic public health initiatives, a public health project that dramatically improved the oral health of millions of people, not only in the United States but throughout the world. On Jan. 25, 1945, the Grand Rapids Study was launched and the Furniture City became the world’s first to adjust the fluoride level of its public water supply.

This landmark trial established the use of fluoridation as a safe, effective, and economical public health measure to prevent tooth decay.

How the Grand Rapids Study began is a fascinating story. Even though …

Celebrate! The Legacy Of Community Water Fluoridation Continues In Grand Rapids, James Wieland Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Michigan dentistry continues to tell the world about the great advance in public health that began in Grand Rapids 75 years ago. This article looks back at past commemorations, and a tribute to those who worked so hard to make a permanent monument to community water fluoridation.

Incorporating Oral Health Care In Pediatric Primary Care Practice, Salamatu Yusif

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The most common chronic disease in childhood is dental caries and is more prevalent than asthma and hay fever (HHS, 2000). Data show that in the United States from 2011-2014, 24% of children aged 2-5 years had experienced dental caries in their primary teeth, with 11% having untreated caries (Dye et al., 2017). Primary care clinicians have an important role to play in promoting children’s oral health as much as dentists because they have more contact with children. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to integrate an evidence-based oral health program for children in a pediatric primary care …

Creating Oral Health Awareness: Happy Teeth Make Healthy Teeth, Roseanna M. Torres, Dirien Santos, Tatyana Aksaeva, Hanna Jo, Nastassia Liaushun, Anty Lam

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Reforming Organized Dentistry To Address Persistent Oral Health Disparities In The U.S., Aparna Chintapalli

Pomona Senior Theses

The importance of oral health has been largely neglected from the conventional standards of healthcare in terms of public understanding & prioritization, the industrial infrastructure, and the scope of prevention & early-intervention services. Its adjunctive locus to the field of medicine has lead to the bifurcation of the oral cavity from the rest of the human body. As a result of this divide, there have been multiple factors that have allowed socially stratified oral health outcomes to manifest. This thesis examines the determinants of oral health disparities through a multidisciplinary lens (i.e. biology, public policy, infrastructure), and offers evidence of …

Integrating Oral Health Into Social Marketing Campaigns: Program Development And Description For San Francisco Children’S Oral Health Strategic Plan, Carsen Bentley

Pacific Journal of Health

Integrating oral health into an existing San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) social marketing campaign was a specific goal of the San Francisco Children’s Oral Health Strategic Plan 2014-2017 with the purpose to more fully integrate oral health promotion into the City’s overall health promotion efforts. In the winter of 2015, utilizing a collaborative approach, oral health was successfully integrated in the Open Truth campaign, promoting decreased consumption of sugar sweetened beverages in order to improve health outcomes, including decreasing tooth decay.

Barriers To Oral Care Among African American Adolescents In Prince George's County, Maryland, Nkiruka Soribe Mcginnis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

When adolescents forgo oral health treatment, factors that hinder them from obtaining these services put them at risk of detrimental consequences in their oral and overall health. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to identify the various barriers that adolescents encounter causing them to defer oral treatment. Through this study, public health officials, school health care providers, the state, and parents could be made aware of these factors and work together to implement programs and supplemental aid to help adolescents become more knowledgeable of the importance of oral care and encourage them to desire and seek treatment. The …

A Systematic Review On The Validity Of Teledentistry, Jafar H. Alabdullah, Susan J. Daniel

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the validity of using teledentistry in oral care examination and diagnosis.

Methods: In June 2016, a systematic search of the literature was conducted without time restrictions in three electronic databases (Ebscohost, Pubmed, and Scopus). Two reviewers screened the retrieved articles first by title and then by abstract to determine relevant articles for full text review. Studies included were as follows: (1) related to teledentistry, (2) available in full text and English, (3) compared teledentistry application to a gold standard, and (4) provided clear statistical tests for validity. The methodological …

A Review Of Strategies To Increase Access To Oral Health Services, Breyanna Davis, Sara Plaspohl

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Leading Health Indicators (LHIs), a subset of objectives for Healthy People 2020, were selected to communicate at-risk health issues and actions that can be taken to address them. Nationally, the number of children, adolescents, and adults who visited the dentist in the past year has decreased, suggesting that oral health continues to be a problem caused by barriers preventing access to oral health services. This review aimed to identify strategies to increase access to oral health services that will be useful in moving toward the LHI objectives.

Methods: Preliminary research was conducted on the LHI via the Healthy People …

Recognizing And Addressing The Oral Health Needs Of Georgia, Carole Hanes, Ketarya Hunt, Stephanie Perry

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The intent of this report is to provide an assessment of oral health needs for Georgia and to highlight the efforts underway at the Dental College of Georgia (DCG) at Augusta University to address these needs. In underserved areas of Georgia, the burden of untreated oral disease remains high. Because of in-migration and the inadequate availability of educational programs, the population continues to grow faster than the number of health care providers.

Methods: An overview of the oral health needs in Georgia is provided, along with a review of the ongoing outreach by the DCG to address those oral …

Translation And Validation Of The Spanish Version Of The Rapid Estimate Of Adult Literacy In Dentistry-30, Wilma Luquis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low or marginal health literacy affect nearly 90 million citizens in the United States, compromising health outcomes, including oral health. Oral health literacy has been studied in diverse populations, yet the assessments used were developed and validated for English-speaking populations. A validated Spanish-language oral health literacy assessment was needed to help researchers and practitioners evaluate oral health literacy in the Hispanic population. Using the oral health literacy framework, the purpose of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate a Spanish version of a previously validated English-language oral health literacy. A translation-back-translation process was applied to the English version …