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theses

Oral health is a critical determinant of overall health with reported links to adverse chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Several risk factors related to lifestyle behaviors and socioeconomic characteristics have direct influence on the oral health status. In order to establish specific oral health care measures the relationship of demographics and behavioral factors specifically dietary and smoking habits with oral health was examined. The individual socio-demographic and major dietary characteristics were analyzed using univariate models, while the interaction of these factors with general oral health was evaluated as a multivariate model using a binary logistic regression. The dataset from 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey targeting civilian, non-institutionalized adults living in the 50 States of USA and the District of Columbia was used to conduct this secondary analysis. Findings indicate health insurance was associated with a lower risk for urgent dental treatment [F(1, 47)=212.2, P< 0.001] and untreated dental caries (OR = 1.6, P<0.001). Older age group was found to experience more tooth loss (OR =19.9, P< 0.001) and less likely to suffer from dental decay (OR =077, P=0.007), while African-Americans were more likely to experience both dental decay and tooth loss (OR =1.75, P<0.001, OR =2.2, P<0.001, respectively). The prevalence of tooth decay in U.S adults aged 20 years and above was approximately 21%. Current smokers [F(2, 94) = 143, P < 0.001] and males [F(1, 47)=64.4, P < 0.001] were more likely to need urgent dental care. Higher sugar intake was associated with poor oral health. Modifiable unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, gender, age, ethnicity and health insurance are important predictors of poor oral health status in adult population. Collectively, these findings provide important insights into the relationship between multiple behavioral as well as socioeconomic factors and oral health that have considerable public health implications and can be an important measure to monitor the progress of health promotion goals set by public health programs.

ETD_10594

doi:10.7282/t3-0vmh-f766

Ph.D.

Includes bibliographical references

ETD doctoral

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