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Khoury ZH, Ferguson A, Price JB, Sultan AS, Wang R. Responsible artificial intelligence for addressing equity in oral healthcare. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2024; 5:1408867. [PMID: 39092200 PMCID: PMC11291357 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2024.1408867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral diseases pose a significant burden on global healthcare. While many oral conditions are preventable and manageable through regular dental office visits, a substantial portion of the population faces obstacles in accessing essential and affordable quality oral healthcare. In this mini review, we describe the issue of inequity and bias in oral healthcare and discuss various strategies to address these challenges, with an emphasis on the application of artificial intelligence (AI). Recent advances in AI technologies have led to significant performance improvements in oral healthcare. AI also holds tremendous potential for advancing equity in oral healthcare, yet its application must be approached with caution to prevent the exacerbation of inequities. The "black box" approaches of some advanced AI models raise uncertainty about their operations and decision-making processes. To this end, we discuss the use of interpretable and explainable AI techniques in enhancing transparency and trustworthiness. Those techniques, aimed at augmenting rather than replacing oral health practitioners' judgment and skills, have the potential to achieve personalized dental and oral care that is unbiased, equitable, and transparent. Overall, achieving equity in oral healthcare through the responsible use of AI requires collective efforts from all stakeholders involved in the design, implementation, regulation, and utilization of AI systems. We use the United States as an example due to its uniquely diverse population, making it an excellent model for our discussion. However, the general and responsible AI strategies suggested in this article can be applied to address equity in oral healthcare on a global level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid H. Khoury
- Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences and Research, School of Dentistry, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Alexys Ferguson
- Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences and Research, School of Dentistry, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Jeffery B. Price
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Artificial Intelligence Research, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ahmed S. Sultan
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Artificial Intelligence Research, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
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Murphy LF, Bryce TN, Coker J, Scott M, Roach MJ, Worobey L, Botticello AL. Medical, dental, and optical care utilization among community-living people with spinal cord injury in the United States. J Spinal Cord Med 2024; 47:64-73. [PMID: 35993789 PMCID: PMC10795619 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2022.2110817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE Information about patterns of healthcare utilization for people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) is currently limited, and this is needed to understand independent community living after SCI. This study investigates self-reported healthcare utilization among community-living people with SCI and assesses disparities across demographic, socioeconomic, and injury-related subgroups. DESIGN Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data administered via telephone interview. SETTING 6 SCI Model Systems centers in the United States (California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania). PARTICIPANTS Adults with chronic, traumatic SCI who were community-living for at least one year after the completion of an inpatient rehabilitation program (N = 617). INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. OUTCOME MEASURES Utilization of a usual source of 4 types of health care in the past 12 months: primary, SCI, dental, and optical. RESULTS 84% of participants reported utilizing primary care in the past year. More than half reported utilizing SCI (54%) and dental (57%) care, and 36% reported utilizing optical care. There were no significant differences across key subgroups in the utilization of primary care. Participants who had been injured for 5 years or less and participants with greater educational attainment were more likely to report utilizing SCI care. Participants with higher household income levels were more likely to report using dental care. Female participants and older age groups were more likely to report using optical care. CONCLUSION Rates of healthcare utilization among people with SCI are below recommended rates and vary across demographic, socioeconomic, and injury-related subgroups. This information can inform future research to target barriers to using healthcare services among community-living people with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren F. Murphy
- Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research and Center for Outcomes and Assessment Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Thomas N. Bryce
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Michael Scott
- Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, California, USA
| | - Mary Joan Roach
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lynn Worobey
- Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amanda L. Botticello
- Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research and Center for Outcomes and Assessment Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
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Drumond VZ, de Arruda JAA, Bernabé E, Mesquita RA, Abreu LG. Burden of dental caries in individuals experiencing food insecurity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev 2023; 81:1525-1555. [PMID: 37040617 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Food insecurity affects approximately 2.37 billion people worldwide. Individuals experiencing food insecurity are more likely to exhibit poor health-related endpoints. Dental caries, a highly prevalent noncommunicable disease, is modulated by an interplay between biological, behavioral, and environmental factors. OBJECTIVE This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess whether individuals experiencing food insecurity were more likely to exhibit dental caries than individuals facing food security. DATA SOURCES The Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Ovid, CINAHL, LILACS, and APA PsycINFO databases were checked from inception to November 2021. Grey literature and Google Scholar were also examined. An updated search was conducted in August 2022. Observational studies were included if they evaluated the association between dental caries and food insecurity status. DATA EXTRACTION Data extraction was performed by two reviewers. DATA ANALYSIS Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using R language. In total, 514 references were retrieved from databases, of which 14 articles were included in qualitative synthesis and 7 were merged into meta-analysis. The results of an inverse-variance meta-analysis (OR = 1.62; 95%CI, 1.01-2.60) and a meta-analysis of binary data (OR = 1.66; 95%CI, 1.36-2.02) demonstrated that food-insecure individuals were more likely to exhibit dental caries than food-secure individuals. Inverse-variance meta-analyses appraising multiple strata of food security also showed that individuals experiencing marginal food security (OR = 1.48; 95%CI, 1.28-1.72), individuals experiencing low food security (OR = 1.26; 95%CI, 1.01-1.57), and those experiencing very low food security (OR = 1.33; 95%CI, 1.04-1.71) were more likely to exhibit dental caries than individuals experiencing full food security. CONCLUSION Dental caries is associated with food insecurity. Individuals living with food insecurity are more likely to exhibit dental caries than those who have food security. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration number CRD42021268582.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José Alcides A de Arruda
- Department of Oral Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Bernabé
- Institute of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ricardo A Mesquita
- Department of Oral Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lucas G Abreu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Petimar J, Gibson LA, Wolff MS, Mitra N, Corby P, Hettinger G, Gregory EF, Edmondson E, Block JP, Roberto CA. Changes in Dental Outcomes After Implementation of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax. Am J Prev Med 2023; 65:221-229. [PMID: 36863896 PMCID: PMC10363192 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Beverage taxes are associated with declines in sugar-sweetened beverage sales and consumption, but few studies have evaluated the associations of these taxes with health outcomes. This study analyzed changes in dental decay after the implementation of the Philadelphia sweetened beverage tax. METHODS Electronic dental record data were obtained on 83,260 patients living in Philadelphia and control areas from 2014 to 2019. Difference-in-differences analyses compared the number of new Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth with that of new Decayed, Missing, and Filled Surfaces before (January 2014-December 2016) and after (January 2019-December 2019) tax implementation in Philadelphia and control patients. Analyses were conducted in older children/adults (aged ≥15 years) and younger children (aged <15 years). Subgroup analyses stratified by Medicaid status. Analyses were conducted in 2022. RESULTS The number of new Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth did not change after tax implementation in Philadelphia in panel analyses of older children/adults (difference-in-differences= -0.02, 95% CI= -0.08, 0.03) or younger children (difference-in-differences=0.07, 95% CI= -0.08, 0.23). There were similarly no post-tax changes in the number of new Decayed, Missing, and Filled Surfaces. However, in cross-sectional samples of patients on Medicaid, the number of new Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth was lower after tax implementation in older children/adults (difference-in-differences= -0.18, 95% CI= -0.34, -0.03; -22% decline) and younger children (difference-in-differences= -0.22, 95% CI= -0.46, 0.01; -30% decline), with similar results for number of new Decayed, Missing, and Filled Surfaces. CONCLUSIONS The Philadelphia beverage tax was not associated with reduced tooth decay in the general population, but it was associated with reduced tooth decay in adults and children on Medicaid, suggesting potential health benefits for low-income populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Petimar
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School & Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Laura A Gibson
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark S Wolff
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nandita Mitra
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Patricia Corby
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gary Hettinger
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Emily F Gregory
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Emma Edmondson
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jason P Block
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School & Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christina A Roberto
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Najihah L, Wan Husin WZ, Marhazlinda J. Multivariable Projections of Caries-Free Prevalence and the Associated Factors from 2019 to 2030 among Schoolchildren Aged 6, 12 and 16-Year-Old in Malaysia. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1125. [PMID: 37508622 PMCID: PMC10378140 DOI: 10.3390/children10071125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
This study identified caries-free associated factors and conducted multivariable projections of the caries-free prevalence until 2030 among six-, 12-, and 16-year-old schoolchildren in Malaysia. It was a secondary data analysis of caries-free prevalence and potential associated factors obtained from the Health Information Management System (HIMS), Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), and Food Balance Sheets (FBS). Multiple linear regression and regression with ARMA errors were employed to determine the associated factors and predict the caries-free prevalence from 2019 or 2020 until 2030 for the six-, 12-, and 16-year-old groups, respectively. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and household income, sugar consumption, and water fluoridation were significantly associated with caries-free status, with the most impactful in all age groups being water fluoridation. With the projected values of the associated factors, the caries-free prevalence in schoolchildren of all age groups in Malaysia is predicted to increase in the next decade. Similar to the past decade, the prevalence trend will remain the highest among the 12-year-olds and the lowest among six-year-olds. Caries-free prevalence was predicted to increase by 9.10%, 15.52%, and 15.10% in the six-, 12-, and 16-year-old groups, respectively. The prevalence multiplied the highest at four times greater than in the past ten years among 16-year-olds, compared with less than 2% in the six- and 12-year-old groups. In conclusion, by factoring in economic factors, sugar consumption, water fluoridation, and age groups, the caries-free prevalence of schoolchildren in Malaysia is projected to increase at different rates in the next decade until 2030. Thus, strategic oral health plans to recognise effective promotion programmes and strengthen others for each age group are crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokman Najihah
- Department of Community Oral Health and Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Wan Zakiyatussariroh Wan Husin
- Mathematical Science Studies, College of Computing, Informatics and Media, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Kelantan, Machang 18500, Malaysia
| | - Jamaludin Marhazlinda
- Department of Community Oral Health and Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
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Novel Strategy for Dental Caries by Physiologic Dentin Regeneration with CPNE7 peptide. Arch Oral Biol 2022; 143:105531. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2022.105531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Donald A, Rao SR, Jacobs K, MacDonald N, Kushalnagar P. Unmet Dental Needs Among Mid-to-Older Deaf and Hard of Hearing Women in the U.S. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 3:866537. [PMID: 35668905 PMCID: PMC9164282 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2022.866537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Despite the significant number of deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) people living in the U.S., oral health research on DHH people who use American Sign Language (ASL) is virtually nonexistent. This study aims to investigate dental needs among mid-to-older DHH women and identify social determinants of health that may place them at higher risk for unmet dental health needs as the primary outcome. Methods This cross-sectional study uses data drawn from Communication Health domain in the PROMIS-DHH Profile and oral health data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Both measures were administered in ASL and English between November 2019 and March 2020. Univariate and bivariate analysis included only complete data, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted on multiply imputed data. Results Out of 197 DHH women (41 to 71+ years old) who answered the dental visit question, 48 had unmet dental needs and 149 had met dental needs. Adjusting for sociodemographic variables, disparity in dental needs was observed across education [OR (95% CI): 0.45(0.15, 1.370)] and communication health [0.95 (0.90, 1.01)]. Discussion Our study is the first to describe DHH mid-to-older women's access to oral health care. DHH women who do not have a college degree may be impacted. Further research is needed to elucidate the particular risk factors, including cultural, to which DHH individuals from marginalized racial groups are susceptible to unmet oral health needs. Conclusions Evidence shows that DHH ASL users who have less years of education or are single experience barriers in accessing dental care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Donald
- Private Dental Practice, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Sowmya R. Rao
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Katja Jacobs
- Center for Deaf Health Equity, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Nthabeleng MacDonald
- Center for Deaf Health Equity, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Poorna Kushalnagar
- Center for Deaf Health Equity, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, United States
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Jozaghi E, Vandu, Maynard R, Khoshnoudian Y, Brondani MA. Access to oral care is a human rights issue: a community action report from the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Canada. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:42. [PMID: 35501857 PMCID: PMC9059447 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00626-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
To offer a critical reflection on an impoverished neighborhood in Vancouver, Canada, and their access to oral health care. A review of how a lack of publicly funded oral health care affects the most vulnerable, uninsured, and underserved citizens is performed. Personal and professional accounts on how entrepreneurial innovations of not-for-profit organizations can help to close the gap in access to oral health care are offered using the Vancouver Area Network of drug users (VANDU) and the PHS Community Services Society as case studies in British Columbia. Despite the efforts put forward by not-for-profit organizations such as the VANDU and the PHS Community Services Society, a national oral health care plan is warranted though still not a political imperative. Underserved citizens have a right to oral health care that is compassionate, collaborative, accessible, and affordable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Jozaghi
- Faculty of Dentistry, 116/2199 Wesbrook Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Vandu
- Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU), 380 East Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1P4, Canada
| | - Russ Maynard
- PHS Community Services Society, 9 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1M9, Canada
| | - Yasaman Khoshnoudian
- Faculty of Dentistry, 116/2199 Wesbrook Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Mario A Brondani
- Faculty of Dentistry, 116/2199 Wesbrook Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Gaskin DJ, Zare H, McCleary R, Kanwar O, Davis AL. Predictors of Unmet Dental Health Needs in US Adults in 2018: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. JDR Clin Trans Res 2021; 7:398-406. [PMID: 34323109 DOI: 10.1177/23800844211035669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of unmet dental needs for adults 18 y of age or older in the United States. METHOD Using the Aday and Andersen framework and data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), we ran logistic regression to estimate predictors for adults of not having a dental visit within 5 y and having lost any teeth using a national sample of 155,060 survey respondents. RESULTS Results showed that predisposing factors (age, race/ethnicity, gender, and educational attainment) and enabling factors (income and health insurance status) are important predictors for losing teeth due to decay or gum disease. Men, the elderly, and less educated and low-income residents were less likely to have seen a dentist within the past 5 y and more likely to have lost their permanent teeth. Compared to non-Hispanic White adults, Hispanics adults were more likely to have had a dental visit within the past 5 y. Unmet dental needs varied across states. People living in states with extensive Medicaid dental care benefit coverage were less likely to lose their teeth and more likely to have had a dental visit within the past 5 y. CONCLUSION Efforts to improve oral health should address unmet dental needs of men and adults with low socioeconomic status. Studying the variation between state oral health care programs could further our understanding of how public policy can improve population oral health. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT Men, non-Hispanic Blacks, mixed and other race minorities, and low socioeconomic status adults are most at risk of unmet dental needs. States can address these needs by expanding Medicaid coverage for adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Gaskin
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - H Zare
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Global Health Services and Administration, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - R McCleary
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - O Kanwar
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A L Davis
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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