Short (≤6 mm) compared with ≥10-mm dental implants in different clinical scenarios: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials with meta-analysis, trial sequential analysis and quality of evidence grading

AIM

To systematically identify, synthesize and critically summarize the available scientific evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding whether short (≤6 mm) perform as well as long (≥10 mm) implants regarding implant survival, marginal bone loss, and biologic and prosthetic complications in different clinical scenarios.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool and the GRADE approach were applied. Results were synthesized using random-effects meta-analyses assessed by trial sequential analyses.

RESULTS

Forty reports on 19 RCTs comprising 2214 (1097 short; 1117 long) implants were included. Moderate/high certainty/quality evidence demonstrated similar 5-year survival rates for ≤6-mm and ≥10-mm implants in non-augmented bone and full-mouth rehabilitation in either jaw, and for 6-mm implants in the maxilla instead of sinus lift. Nevertheless, the evidence for 5-year survival rates remains inconclusive or insufficient for the remaining combinations of implant lengths and clinical scenarios. They include 4-mm and 5-mm implants as alternatives to sinus lift as well as placing all implant lengths ≤6 mm instead of vertical ridge augmentation with long implants. Marginal bone level and short- and long-term biologic or prosthetic complications were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on moderate/high certainty/quality evidence from 5-year RCTs, implants ≤6 mm may be viable alternatives to ≥10-mm implants in either jaw in native bone and full-arch rehabilitation, and 6-mm implants may be used as an alternative to sinus lift.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO ID: CRD42021254365.

Oral health and healthy ageing: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Good oral health is an important part of healthy ageing, yet there is limited understanding regarding the status of oral health care for older people globally. This study reviewed evidence (policies, programs, and interventions) regarding oral health care for older people.

METHODS

A systematic search of six databases for published and grey literature in the English language by the end of April 2022 was undertaken utilising Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework.

RESULTS

The findings from oral health policy documents (n = 17) indicated a lack of priorities in national health policies regarding oral health care for older people. The most common oral health interventions reported in the published studies (n = 62) included educational sessions and practical demonstrations on oral care for older adults, nurses, and care providers. Other interventions included exercises of facial muscles and the tongue, massage of salivary glands, and application of chemical agents, such as topical fluoride.

CONCLUSION

There is currently a gap in information and research around effective oral health care treatments and programs in geriatric dental care. Efforts must be invested in developing guidelines to assist both dental and medical healthcare professionals in integrating good oral health as part of healthy ageing. Further research is warranted in assessing the effectiveness of interventions in improving the oral health status of the elderly and informing approaches to assist the integration of oral health into geriatric care.

Oral health-care needs among clients receiving alcohol and other drugs treatment-A scoping review

ISSUES

Poor oral health is a significant problem among people who access alcohol and other drugs (AOD) health services, yet little is known about their oral health-care needs and whether any interventions and guidelines are implemented within AOD treatment services.

APPROACH

A scoping review was conducted to identify scientific literature in three focus areas: oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices of clients and clinicians at AOD-related services; oral health guidelines for AOD clinicians; and interventions that describe clinicians promoting oral health among clients.

KEY FINDINGS

Thirty-two reports were identified. Twenty-three studies focused on the oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices of AOD clients, but none of the studies explored perspectives of clinicians. Seven clinical practice guidelines were identified but recommendations varied. Only two interventions in which an AOD clinician promoted oral health were identified.

IMPLICATIONS

Most reports provided insight into the perspectives of clients accessing AOD treatment services. Little evidence demonstrated that clinical practice guidelines were being implemented into practice, or that oral health promotion was part of the tasks of AOD clinicians.

CONCLUSION

This review identified oral health knowledge gaps and perceived poor attitudes that appeared to be reflected in certain oral health practices among clients. This finding indicates a need to educate clients about oral health while receiving AOD treatment. There was an absence of research about the needs for AOD clinicians to advocate for good oral health, and little evidence exists about effective interventions that could enhance integrating oral health care into AOD treatment services.

Interproximal implant thread exposure after initial bone remodeling as a risk indicator for peri-implantitis

BACKGROUND

Due to the clinical challenges involved in successfully treating peri-implantitis, it is imperative to identify patient- and implant-level risk factors for its prevention. The main goal of this retrospective longitudinal radiographic and clinical study was to investigate whether interproximal radiographic implant thread exposure after physiological bone remodeling may be a risk factor for peri-implantitis. The secondary goal was to evaluate several other potential risk indicators.

METHODS

Of 4325 active dental school patients having implants placed, 165 partially edentulous adults (77 men, 88 women) aged 30-91 with ≥2 years of follow-up upon implant restoration were included. Implants with ≥1 interproximal thread exposed (no bone-to-implant contact) (n = 98, 35%) constituted the test group and those without exposed threads (n = 182, 65%) the control group. Descriptive, binary, and multivariate regression analyses were evaluated for goodness of fit. Wald tests were used to evaluate for significance set at 0.05.

RESULTS

Of the 280 implants (98 test, 182 control), 8 (2.9%) failed over a mean follow-up period of 7.67 (±2.63) years, and 27 implants (19 test, 8 control) developed peri-implantitis, with the exposed group having eight-fold (7.82 times) adjusted greater odds than the non-exposed. The risk increased four-fold (3.77 times) with each thread exposed. No other patient- or implant-related potentially confounding risk factors were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposed interproximal implant threads after physiologic bone remodeling may be an independent risk indicator for incident peri-implantitis. Hence, clinicians should closely monitor patients with implant threads that have no bone-to-implant contact for incident peri-implantitis.

Clustering by periodontitis-associated factors: A novel application to NHANES data

BACKGROUND

Unsupervised clustering is a method used to identify heterogeneity among groups and homogeneity within a group of patients. Without a prespecified outcome entry, the resulting model deciphers patterns that may not be disclosed using traditional methods. This is the first time such clustering analysis is applied in identifying unique subgroups at high risk for periodontitis in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES 2009 to 2014 data sets using >500 variables.

METHODS

Questionnaire, examination, and laboratory data (33 tables) for >1,000 variables were merged from 14,072 respondents who underwent clinical periodontal examination. Participants with ≥6 teeth and available data for all selected categories were included (N = 1,222). Data wrangling produced 519 variables. k-means/modes clustering (k = 2:14) was deployed. The optimal k-value was determined through the elbow method, formula = ∑ (x_i ² ) - ((∑ x_i )2 /n). The 5-cluster model showing the highest variability (63.08%) was selected. The 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and 2018 European Federation of Periodontology/AAP periodontitis case definitions were applied.

RESULTS

Cluster 1 (n = 249) showed the highest prevalence of severe periodontitis (43%); 39% self-reported "fair" general health; 55% had household income <$35,000/year; and 48% were current smokers. Cluster 2 (n = 154) had one participant with periodontitis. Cluster 3 (n = 242) represented the greatest prevalence of moderate periodontitis (53%). In Cluster 4 (n = 35) only one participant had no periodontitis. Cluster 5 (n = 542) was the systemically healthiest with 77% having no/mild periodontitis.

CONCLUSION

Clustering of NHANES demographic, systemic health, and socioeconomic data effectively identifies characteristics that are statistically significantly related to periodontitis status and hence detects subpopulations at high risk for periodontitis without costly clinical examinations.

Diabetes as a potential risk for periodontitis: association studies

Diabetes affects one in 10 adults and periodontal disease affects four in 10 adults in the USA, and they are linked. Individuals with diabetes are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease and periodontal disease affects glycemic control and complications of diabetes. The role of diabetes as a risk factor for periodontal disease and other oral conditions will be discussed in this review. The fact that type 2 diabetes, especially uncontrolled, is a risk factor for periodontal disease has long been recognized. However, the role of type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes in periodontal risk has recently been described. Also, diabetes as a risk factor for tooth loss has more recently been described and the deleterious effects of tooth loss, especially edentulism, in comparing the diets of patients with diabetes is now fully appreciated. From longitudinal studies it is clear that diabetes often precedes periodontitis and, hence, may contribute to the causal pathway of periodontitis. Other oral manifestations of diabetes include increased risk of oral and nonoral (vaginal) fungal infections. In patients with diabetes there is often reduced salivary flow associated with diabetes medications and neuropathy affecting the salivary glands. This may lead to increased caries. Burning mouth, resulting from diabetes neuropathy, and taste impairment may also be seen. It has long been known that there is delayed wound healing in patients with diabetes, especially if uncontrolled. Hence, it is critical to achieve good glycemic control before carrying out surgical procedures or dental implant placement in patients with diabetes.

World Workshop on Oral Medicine VII: Prognostic biomarkers in oral leukoplakia and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia-A systematic review of retrospective studies

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review retrospective studies examining prognostic potentials of candidate biomarkers to stratify malignant progression of oral leukoplakia (OL) and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Evidence-Based Medicine and Web of Science databases targeted literature published through 29 March 2018. Inter-rater agreement was ascertained during title, abstract and full-text reviews. Eligibility evaluation and data abstraction from eligible studies were guided by predefined PICO questions and bias assessment by the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. Reporting followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis criteria. Biomarkers were stratified based on cancer hallmarks.

RESULTS

Eligible studies (n = 54/3,415) evaluated 109 unique biomarkers in tissue specimens from 2,762 cases (2,713 OL, 49 PVL). No biomarker achieved benchmarks for clinical application to detect malignant transformation. Inter-rater reliability was high, but 65% of included studies had high "Study Confounding" bias risk.

CONCLUSION

There was no evidence to support translation of candidate biomarkers predictive of malignant transformation of OL and PVL. Systematically designed, large, optimally controlled, collaborative, prospective and longitudinal studies with a priori-specified methods to identify, recruit, prospectively follow and test for malignant transformation are needed to enhance feasibility of prognostic biomarkers predicting malignant OL or PVL transformation.

Recent epidemiologic trends in periodontitis in the USA

The most important development in the epidemiology of periodontitis in the USA during the last decade is the result of improvements in survey methodologies and statistical modeling of periodontitis in adults. Most of these advancements have occurred as the direct outcome of work by the joint initiative known as the Periodontal Disease Surveillance Project by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology that was established in 2006. This report summarizes some of the key findings of this important initiative and its impact on our knowledge of the epidemiology of periodontitis in US adults. This initiative first suggested new periodontitis case definitions for surveillance in 2007 and revised them slightly in 2012. This classification is now regarded as the global standard for periodontitis surveillance and is used worldwide. First, application of such a standard in reporting finally enables results from different researchers in different countries to be meaningfully compared. Second, this initiative tackled the concern that prior national surveys, which used partial-mouth periodontal examination protocols, grossly underestimated the prevalence of periodontitis of potentially more than 50%. Consequently, because previous national surveys significantly underestimated the true prevalence of periodontitis, it is not possible to extrapolate any trend in periodontitis prevalence in the USA over time. Any difference calculated may not represent any actual change in periodontitis prevalence, but rather is a consequence of using different periodontal examination protocols. Finally, the initiative addressed the gap in the need for state and local data on periodontitis prevalence. Through the direct efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology initiative, full-mouth periodontal probing at six sites around all nonthird molar teeth was included in the 6 years of National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2009-2014, yielding complete data for 10 683 dentate community-dwelling US adults aged 30 to 79 years. Applying the 2012 periodontitis case definitions to the 2009-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data, the periodontitis prevalence turned out to be much greater than previously estimated, namely affecting 42.2% of the population with 7.8% of people experiencing severe periodontitis. It was also discovered that only the moderate type of periodontitis is driving the increase in periodontitis prevalence with age, not the mild or the severe types whose prevalence do not increase consistently with age, but remain ~ 10%-15% in all age groups of 40 years and older. The greatest risk for having periodontitis of any type was seen in older people, in males, in minority race/ethnic groups, in poorer and less educated groups, and especially in cigarette smokers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology initiative reported, for the first time, the periodontitis prevalence estimated at both local and state levels, in addition to the national level. Also, this initiative developed and validated in field studies a set of eight items for self-reported periodontitis for use in direct survey estimates of periodontitis prevalence in existing state-based surveys. These items were also included in the 2009-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for validation against clinically determined cases of periodontitis. Another novel result of this initiative is that, for the first time, the geographic distribution of practicing periodontists in relation to the geographic distribution of people with severe periodontitis is illustrated. In summary, the precise periodontitis prevalence and distribution among subgroups in the dentate US noninstitutionalized population aged 30-79 years is better understood because of application of valid periodontitis case definitions to full-mouth periodontal examination, in combination with reliable information on demographic and health-related measures. We now can monitor the trend of periodontitis prevalence over time as well as guide public health preventive and intervention initiatives for the betterment of the health of the adult US population.

World Workshop on Oral Medicine VII: Prognostic biomarkers in oral leukoplakia: A systematic review of longitudinal studies

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prognostic biomarker candidates for stratification and long-term surveillance of oral leukoplakia progressing to cancer via a systematic literature review.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Systematic searches with no date restrictions were conducted on March 29, 2018, targeting the databases PubMed (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), EBM (Ovid), and Web of Science (ISI). Bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. Biomarkers were stratified based on hallmarks of cancer.

RESULTS

Inclusion criteria were met by 25 of 3,415 studies. A range of biomarkers were evaluated experimentally for risk stratification, prognosis, and surveillance of oral leukoplakia in tissue, blood, and saliva. However, the studies were highly heterogeneous and require further validation. Biomarkers reported in these studies included inflammatory or oxidative markers, growth factors, ion channels, genetic and cellular regulatory factors, and epigenetic biomarkers. Studies tended to include small sample sizes, under-reported or variably reported histopathological data, did not address potential confounding, reported limited/variable follow-up data, or lacked a control group. Inclusion of subsets from chemoprevention trials may have introduced bias regarding reported malignant transformation rates and accuracy of prognostic biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified insufficient longitudinal evidence to support validated prognostic biomarkers for oral leukoplakia. Further studies are needed to identify molecular targets with the potential to mitigate risk of malignant transformation.

IDF Diabetes Atlas: Diabetes and oral health - A two-way relationship of clinical importance

The current scientific evidence for the bi-directional associations between oral health and diabetes is summarized. The universal biologic mechanisms and demographic and behavioral risk drivers underlying these associations in both directions are also described. Dysglycemia, even slightly elevated blood sugar levels, adversely affects oral health, manifesting itself in several oral diseases and conditions. In the opposite direction, any oral infection with its subsequent local and systemic inflammatory responses adversely affects blood glucose levels. Moreover, painful, mobile, or missing teeth may lead to intake of soft food items representing a sub-optimal diet and hence poor nutrition, and thereby contribute to incident type 2 diabetes or to poorer glucose control in existing diabetes. Treatment of inflammation related oral conditions, such as non-surgical periodontal treatment and extraction of infected teeth, can lead to a clinically significant decrease in blood glucose levels. Attention to infectious oral diseases and referral to dental care professionals for treatment can therefore be an important novel tool for medical care professionals in preventing and managing diabetes mellitus. Dental professionals can detect unrecognized potential dysglycemia and refer for medical examination. Such interprofessional, patient centered care may contribute to improved health, wellbeing, and quality of life in people with diabetes.

Periodontitis in US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014

BACKGROUND

This report presents weighted average estimates of the prevalence of periodontitis in the adult US population during the 6 years 2009-2014 and highlights key findings of a national periodontitis surveillance project.

METHODS

Estimates were derived for dentate adults 30 years or older from the civilian noninstitutionalized population whose periodontitis status was assessed by means of a full-mouth periodontal examination at 6 sites per tooth on all non-third molar teeth. Results are reported according to a standard format by applying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology periodontitis case definitions for surveillance, as well as various thresholds of clinical attachment loss and periodontal probing depth.

RESULTS

An estimated 42% of dentate US adults 30 years or older had periodontitis, with 7.8% having severe periodontitis. Overall, 3.3% of all periodontally probed sites (9.1% of all teeth) had periodontal probing depth of 4 millimeters or greater, and 19.0% of sites (37.1% of teeth) had clinical attachment loss of 3 mm or greater. Severe periodontitis was most prevalent among adults 65 years or older, Mexican Americans, non-Hispanic blacks, and smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationally representative study shows that periodontitis is a highly prevalent oral disease among US adults.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Dental practitioners should be aware of the high prevalence of periodontitis in US adults and may provide preventive care and counselling for periodontitis. General dentists who encounter patients with periodontitis may refer these patients to see a periodontist for specialty care.

Geospatial distribution of periodontists and US adults with severe periodontitis

BACKGROUND

In this study, the authors report on the geospatial distributions of periodontists and adults with severe periodontitis in the United States.

METHODS

The authors used geospatial analysis to describe the distribution of periodontists and adults, periodontists vis-à-vis estimated density of adults with severe periodontitis, and their ratios to adults with severe periodontitis. The authors identified locations of 5,415 practicing periodontists through the 2014 National Provider Identifier Registry, linked them with the weighted census number of adults, and estimated the number of adults within a series of circular distance zones.

RESULTS

Approximately 60% of adults 30 through 79 years lived within 5 miles of a periodontist, 73% within 10 miles, 85% within 20 miles, and 97% within 50 miles. Proximity to a periodontist varied widely. In urban areas, 95% of adults resided within 10 miles of a periodontist and 100% within 20 miles. Only 24% of adults in rural areas lived within 10 miles of a periodontist. Most periodontists (96.1%) practiced in urban areas, clustering along the eastern and western coasts and in the Midwest, 3.1% in urban clusters elsewhere, and 0.8% in rural areas. Ratios of fewer than 8,000 adults with periodontitis to 1 or more periodontists within 10 miles were clustered mostly in the Northeast, central East Coast, Florida, West Coast, Arizona, and Midwest.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the authors identified wide variations in geographic proximity to a practicing periodontist for adults with severe periodontitis.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Dental practitioners may provide preventive care and counseling for periodontitis and referrals for specialty care. Geographic proximity to specialized periodontal care may vary widely by locality.

Hyposalivation and 10-year all-cause mortality in an elderly Japanese population

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of salivary flow rate with all-cause mortality among older Japanese adults. We hypothesised that hyposalivation would be a marker for mortality.

BACKGROUND

Hyposalivation, which is an objectively measurable decrease in salivary flow, is highly prevalent among older adults. It is associated with malnutrition and poor general health.

METHODS

The study population comprised 600 community-dwelling Japanese adults (306 men and 294 women), who were 70 years old at baseline. They underwent stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR) measurements and were followed up during a 10-year study period. After stratification by sex, the hazard ratios of all-cause mortality were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis comparing groups with and without hyposalivation (ie, SSFR < 0.7 mL/min).

RESULTS

The baseline prevalence of hyposalivation was 27.8% (85/306) among men and 47.3% (139/294) among women. During a mean (standard deviation) follow-up period of 104 (27) months, 80 deaths occurred: 60 (75.0%) deaths among men and 20 (25.0%) deaths among women. After adjusting for the number of remaining teeth, smoking status, exercise, hypoalbuminemia, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, hyposalivation at baseline was significantly associated with all-cause mortality among men (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.89). In contrast, no association between SSFR and all-cause mortality existed among women.

CONCLUSION

Hyposalivation could be a marker for all-cause mortality among older community-dwelling Japanese men. Future studies investigating the association between SSFR and cause-specific mortality are warranted.

Periodontitis prevalence in adults ≥ 65 years of age, in the USA

The older adult population is growing rapidly in the USA and it is expected that by 2040 the number of adults ≥ 65 years of age will have increased by about 50%. With the growth of this subpopulation, oral health status, and periodontal status in particular, becomes important in the quest to maintain an adequate quality of life. Poor oral health can have a major impact, leading to tooth loss, pain and discomfort, and may prevent older adults from chewing food properly, often leading to poor nutrition. Periodontitis is monitored in the USA at the national level as part of the Healthy People 2020 initiative. In this report, we provide estimates of the overall burden of periodontitis among adults ≥ 65 years of age and after stratification according to sociodemographic factors, modifiable risk factors (such as smoking status), the presence of other systemic conditions (such as diabetes) and access to dental care. We also estimated the burden of periodontitis within this age group at the state and local levels. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009/2010 and 2011/2012 cycles were analyzed. Periodontal measures from both survey cycles were based on a full-mouth periodontal examination. Nineteen per cent of adults in this subpopulation were edentulous. The mean age was 73 years, 7% were current smokers, 8% lived below the 100% Federal Poverty Level and < 40% had seen a dentist in the past year. Almost two-thirds (62.3%) had one or more sites with ≥ 5 mm of clinical attachment loss and almost half had at least one site with probing pocket depth of ≥ 4 mm. We estimated the lowest prevalence of periodontitis in Utah (62.3%) and New Hampshire (62.6%) and the highest in New Mexico, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia each with a prevalence of higher than 70%. Overall, periodontitis is highly prevalent in this subpopulation, with two-thirds of dentate older adults affected at any geographic level. These findings provide an opportunity to determine how the overall health-care management of older adults should consider the improvement of their oral health conditions. Many older adults do not have dental insurance and are also likely to have some chronic conditions, which can adversely affect their oral health.

Association between diabetes mellitus/hyperglycaemia and peri-implant diseases: Systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

This systematic review investigates whether hyperglycaemia/diabetes mellitus is associated with peri-implant diseases (peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic and manual literature searching was conducted. An a priori case definition for peri-implantitis was used as an inclusion criterion to minimize risk of bias. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment; random effect models were applied; and results were reported according to the PRISMA Statement.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were eligible for qualitative and seven of them for quantitative analyses. Meta-analyses detected the risk of peri-implantitis was about 50% higher in diabetes than in non-diabetes (RR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.21-1.77 and OR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.31-2.46; z = 5.98; p < .001). Importantly, among non-smokers, those with hyperglycaemia had 3.39-fold higher risk for peri-implantitis compared with normoglycaemia (95% CI: 1.06-10.81). Conversely, the association between diabetes and peri-implant mucositis was not statistically significant (RR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.72-1.16 and OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.84-1.27; z = 1.06, p = .29).

CONCLUSIONS

Within its limits that demand great caution when interpreting its findings, this systematic review suggests that diabetes mellitus/hyperglycaemia is associated with greater risk of peri-implantitis, independently of smoking, but not with peri-implant mucositis.

Periodontitis and health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients

Periodontitis is common among dialysis patients. The current cross-sectional study aimed to explore associations between periodontitis and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among hemodialysis patients. Data from 188 dentate patients undergoing hemodialysis between May and July 2008 at a medical center in Kitakyushu city, Japan, were analyzed while applying modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology periodontitis case definitions to categorize the participants into the following three groups: severe, moderate, and no/mild periodontitis, respectively. HRQoL was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) where a higher score indicates better health status. Associations between periodontitis groups and the eight health domains of SF-36 were evaluated using general linear models that were adjusted for age, sex, underlying cause of dialysis, duration of dialysis, comorbidities, serum biomarkers, body mass index, smoking status, and alcohol use. Among the 188 participants, 18 (9.6%) had severe periodontitis, 100 (53.2%) had moderate periodontitis, and the remaining 70 (37.2%) had no/mild periodontitis. Compared with the participants with no/mild periodontitis, those with severe periodontitis had worse scores in the following five of eight SF-36 health scales: physical functioning, role physical, vitality, social functioning, and mental health (P < 0.05). The findings suggest an independent relationship between severe periodontitis and decreased HRQoL among dialysis patients.

Neuroprotective effect of epidermal growth factor plus growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 resembles hypothermia in experimental stroke

BACKGROUND

Combined therapy with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) in stroke models has accumulated evidence of neuroprotective effects from several studies, but needs further support before clinical translation. Comparing EGF + GHRP-6 to hypothermia, a gold neuroprotection standard, may contribute to this purpose.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to compare the neuroprotective effects of a combined therapy based on EGF + GHRP-6 with hypothermia in animal models of (a) global ischemia representing myocardial infarction and (b) focal brain ischemia representing ischemic stroke.

METHODS

(a) Global ischemia was induced in Mongolian gerbils by a 15-min occlusion of both carotid arteries, followed by reperfusion. (b) Focal brain ischemia was achieved by intracerebral injection of endothelin 1 in Wistar rats. In each experiment, three ischemic treatment groups - vehicle, EGF + GHRP-6, and hypothermia - were compared to each other and to a sham-operated control group. End points were survival, neurological scores, and infarct volume.

RESULTS

(a) In global ischemia, neurological score at 48-72 h, infarct volume, and neuronal density of hippocampal CA1 zone in gerbils treated with EGF + GHRP-6 were similar to the hypothermia-treated group. (b) In focal ischemia, the neurologic score and infarct volume of rats receiving EGF + GHRP-6 were also similar to animals in the hypothermia group.

DISCUSSION

With hypothermia being a good standard neuroprotectant reference, these results provide additional proof of principle for EGF and GHRP-6 co-administration as a potentially neuroprotective stroke therapy.

Effect of periodontal disease on diabetes: systematic review of epidemiologic observational evidence

BACKGROUND

Periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus are common, chronic diseases worldwide. Epidemiologic and biologic evidence suggest periodontal disease may affect diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review non-experimental, epidemiologic evidence for effects of periodontal disease on diabetes control, complications and incidence.

DATA SOURCES

Electronic bibliographic databases, supplemented by hand searches of recent and future issues of relevant journals. Study eligibility criteria and participants: Longitudinal and cross-sectional epidemiologic, non-interventional studies that permit determination of directionality of observed effects were included.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

Four reviewers evaluated pair-wise each study. Review findings regarding study results and quality were summarized in tables by topic, using the PRISMA Statement for reporting and the Newcastle-Ottawa System for quality assessment, respectively. From 2246 citations identified and available abstracts screened, 114 full-text reports were assessed and 17 included in the review.

RESULTS

A small body of evidence supports significant, adverse effects of periodontal disease on glycaemic control, diabetes complications, and development of type 2 (and possibly gestational) diabetes.

LIMITATIONS

There were only a limited number of eligible studies, several of which included small sample sizes. Exposure and outcome parameters varied, and the generalizability of their results was limited.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS

Current evidence suggests that periodontal disease adversely affects diabetes outcomes, and that further longitudinal studies are warranted.

Effect of periodontal disease on diabetes: systematic review of epidemiologic observational evidence

BACKGROUND

Periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus are common, chronic diseases worldwide. Epidemiologic and biologic evidence suggest periodontal disease may affect diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review non-experimental, epidemiologic evidence for effects of periodontal disease on diabetes control, complications and incidence.

DATA SOURCES

Electronic bibliographic databases, supplemented by hand searches of recent and future issues of relevant journals. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND PARTICIPANTS: Longitudinal and cross-sectional epidemiologic, non-interventional studies that permit determination of directionality of observed effects were included.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

Four reviewers evaluated pair-wise each study. Review findings regarding study results and quality were summarized in tables by topic, using the PRISMA Statement for reporting and the Newcastle-Ottawa System for quality assessment, respectively. From 2246 citations identified and available abstracts screened, 114 full-text reports were assessed and 17 included in the review.

RESULTS

A small body of evidence supports significant, adverse effects of periodontal disease on glycaemic control, diabetes complications, and development of type 2 (and possibly gestational) diabetes.

LIMITATIONS

There were only a limited number of eligible studies, several of which included small sample sizes. Exposure and outcome parameters varied, and the generalizability of their results was limited.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS

Current evidence suggests that periodontal disease adversely affects diabetes outcomes, and that further longitudinal studies are warranted.

Is there a relationship between oral health and diabetic neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus with high morbidity and mortality, and low quality of life. It has a broad spectrum of clinical forms, although distal symmetrical polyneuropathy is the most prevalent. Several oral complications including burning mouth syndrome, dry mouth, and impairment of the senses taste and smell are less-known manifestations of diabetic neuropathy and often overlooked. Periodontitis, tooth loss, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction may be also present in these patients and are equally debilitating. Periodontitis was declared the sixth complication of diabetes in 1993 and may contribute to poor glucose control. Hence, periodontitis and diabetes mutually and adversely affect each other. This review summarizes the available body of scientific literature that discusses oral manifestations in patients with diabetic neuropathy and identifies important areas where more research is needed.

Does Treatment of Periodontal Disease Influence Systemic Disease?

Periodontal diseases are the most common human diseases globally, with gingivitis affecting up to 90% and periodontitis affecting 50% of adults. Tooth enamel is the only nonshedding tissue in the human body. In the absence of proper oral hygiene measures, microbial biofilm (dental plaque) develops on the teeth to include more than 700 different bacterial species, along with viruses, fungi, archea, and parasites. With time, ecological imbalances promote the growth of selected commensal species that induce host inflammatory pathways resulting in tissue destruction, including ulceration of the periodontal epithelium.

Update on Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: NHANES 2009 to 2012

BACKGROUND

This report describes prevalence, severity, and extent of periodontitis in the US adult population using combined data from the 2009 to 2010 and 2011 to 2012 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

METHODS

Estimates were derived for dentate adults, aged ≥30 years, from the US civilian non-institutionalized population. Periodontitis was defined by combinations of clinical attachment loss (AL) and periodontal probing depth (PD) from six sites per tooth on all teeth, except third molars, using standard surveillance case definitions. For the first time in NHANES history, sufficient numbers of non-Hispanic Asians were sampled in 2011 to 2012 to provide reliable estimates of their periodontitis prevalence.

RESULTS

In 2009 to 2012, 46% of US adults, representing 64.7 million people, had periodontitis, with 8.9% having severe periodontitis. Overall, 3.8% of all periodontal sites (10.6% of all teeth) had PD ≥4 mm, and 19.3% of sites (37.4% teeth) had AL ≥3 mm. Periodontitis prevalence was positively associated with increasing age and was higher among males. Periodontitis prevalence was highest in Hispanics (63.5%) and non-Hispanic blacks (59.1%), followed by non-Hispanic Asian Americans (50.0%), and lowest in non-Hispanic whites (40.8%). Prevalence varied two-fold between the lowest and highest levels of socioeconomic status, whether defined by poverty or education.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms a high prevalence of periodontitis in US adults aged ≥30 years, with almost fifty-percent affected. The prevalence was greater in non-Hispanic Asians than non-Hispanic whites, although lower than other minorities. The distribution provides valuable information for population-based action to prevent or manage periodontitis in US adults.

The multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) published by the journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on the effect of periodontal therapy on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) has fundamental problems

Subject

Participants had type 2 diabetes, were on stable medication regimens, had HbA1c levels between 7% and <9%, retained at least 16 natural teeth, and had untreated chronic periodontitis. A total of 514 participants were enrolled between November 2009 and March 2012 from diabetes and dental clinics and communities affiliated with five participating academic medical centers. They were randomized with half (n = 257) allocated to a treatment group and the other half (n = 257) to a control group.

Key Exposure/Study Factor

The exposure was non-surgical periodontal treatment comprising scaling and root planing, oral hygiene instruction, and oral rinsing with chlorhexidine provided to the treatment group at baseline. Supportive periodontal therapy was also provided at 3 and 6 months. The control group received no treatment for the 6-month duration of the study.

Main Outcome Measure

The primary outcome measure was “the difference in change in HbA1c level from baseline between the two groups at 6 months.” Secondary outcomes included changes in periodontal probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index, fasting glucose level, and Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA2) score.

Main Results

The authors report that enrollment into their Diabetes and Periodontal Therapy Trial (DPTT) was terminated early due to futility. At 6 months, mean HbA1c levels in the periodontal therapy group increased 0.17 (±1.0)%, compared with 0.11 (±1.0)% in the control group, with no significant difference between groups based on a linear regression model adjusting for clinical site (mean difference, −0.05% [95% CI: −0.23% to 0.12%]; p = 0.55). Periodontal measures improved in the treatment group compared with the control group at 6 months, with adjusted between-group differences of 0.28 mm (95% CI: 0.18–0.37) for PPD; 0.25 mm (95% CI: 0.14–0.36) for clinical attachment loss; 13.1% (95% CI: 8.1%–18.1%) for BOP; and 0.27 (95% CI: 0.17–0.37) for gingival index (p < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions

The authors conclude: “Nonsurgical periodontal therapy did not improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis. These findings do not support the use of nonsurgical periodontal treatment in patients with diabetes for the purpose of lowering levels of HbA1c.”

Periodontitis may be associated with chronic kidney disease, but current evidence is insufficient

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Periodontitis and chronic kidney disease: a systematic review of the association of diseases and the effect of periodontal treatment on estimated glomerular filtration rate. Chambrone L, Foz AM, Guglielmetti RM, Pannuti CM, Artese HP, Feres M, Romito GA. J Clin Periodontol 2013;40(5):443-56.

REVIEWER

Wenche S. Borgnakke, DDS, MPH, PhD PURPOSE/QUESTION: The authors conducted systematic reviews to try to answer the following two questions: Q1) Is periodontitis a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD)? and Q2) Can periodontal treatment improve the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of patients with periodontitis?

SOURCE OF FUNDING

No external support was received

TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN

Q1) Systematic review with meta-analysis of data; Q2) Systematic review

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence

STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION GRADE

Grade C: Consensus, disease-oriented evidence, usual practice, expert opinion, or case series for studies of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or screening.

Risk factors for periodontal disease

Risk factors play an important role in an individual's response to periodontal infection. Identification of these risk factors helps to target patients for prevention and treatment, with modification of risk factors critical to the control of periodontal disease. Shifts in our understanding of periodontal disease prevalence, and advances in scientific methodology and statistical analysis in the last few decades, have allowed identification of several major systemic risk factors for periodontal disease. The first change in our thinking was the understanding that periodontal disease is not universal, but that severe forms are found only in a portion of the adult population who show abnormal susceptibility. Analysis of risk factors and the ability to statistically adjust and stratify populations to eliminate the effects of confounding factors have allowed identification of independent risk factors. These independent but modifiable, risk factors for periodontal disease include lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption. They also include diseases and unhealthy conditions such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, and low dietary calcium and vitamin D. These risk factors are modifiable and their management is a major component of the contemporary care of many periodontal patients. Genetic factors also play a role in periodontal disease and allow one to target individuals for prevention and early detection. The role of genetic factors in aggressive periodontitis is clear. However, although genetic factors (i.e., specific genes) are strongly suspected to have an association with chronic adult periodontitis, there is as yet no clear evidence for this in the general population. It is important to pursue efforts to identify genetic factors associated with chronic periodontitis because such factors have potential in identifying patients who have a high susceptibility for development of this disease. Many of the systemic risk factors for periodontal disease, such as smoking, diabetes and obesity, and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, are relatively common and can be expected to affect most patients with periodontal disease seen in clinics and dental practices. Hence, risk factor identification and management has become a key component of care for periodontal patients.

Self-reported measures for surveillance of periodontitis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of self-reported measures in predicting periodontitis in a representative US adult population, based on 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. Self-reported gum health and treatment history, loose teeth, bone loss around teeth, tooth not looking right, and use of dental floss and mouthwash were obtained during in-home interviews and validated against full-mouth clinically assessed periodontitis in 3,743 US adults 30 years and older. All self-reported measures (> 95% item response rates) were associated with periodontitis, and bivariate correlations between responses to these questions were weak, indicating low redundancy. In multivariable logistic regression modeling, the combined effects of demographic measures and responses to 5 self-reported questions in predicting periodontitis of mild or greater severity were 85% sensitive and 58% specific and produced an 'area under the receiver operator characteristic curve' (AUROCC) of 0.81. Four questions were 95% sensitive and 30% specific, with an AUROCC of 0.82 in predicting prevalence of clinical attachment loss ≥ 3 mm at one or more sites. In conclusion, self-reported measures performed well in predicting periodontitis in US adults. Where preferred clinically based surveillance is unattainable, locally adapted variations of these self-reported measures may be a promising alternative for surveillance of periodontitis.

Dental visits among adult Hispanics--BRFSS 1999 and 2006

OBJECTIVES

This study examined and compared utilization of dental services by adult U.S. Hispanics 18 years and older in the years 1999 and 2006.

METHODS

Dental utilization data collected by telephone interviews by the state-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

In 2006, the state mean and median prevalence of adult Hispanics with dental visits during the past year were 56.2 percent and 62.1 percent, respectively, and had not changed significantly since 1999. In 40 states, utilization was well below the national prevalence of 70.3 percent. Frequency of dental visits was significantly higher among females and those with higher income (> $50,000), higher education, nonsmokers, and persons having medical health insurance.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study suggest that barriers to utilization of dental services among Hispanic adults exist in most states and may contribute to existing oral health disparities. The magnitude of this problem may increase in the future with the expansion of the U.S. Hispanic population.

Accuracy of NHANES periodontal examination protocols

This study evaluates the accuracy of periodontitis prevalence determined by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) partial-mouth periodontal examination protocols. True periodontitis prevalence was determined in a new convenience sample of 454 adults ≥ 35 years old, by a full-mouth "gold standard" periodontal examination. This actual prevalence was compared with prevalence resulting from analysis of the data according to the protocols of NHANES III and NHANES 2001-2004, respectively. Both NHANES protocols substantially underestimated the prevalence of periodontitis by 50% or more, depending on the periodontitis case definition used, and thus performed below threshold levels for moderate-to-high levels of validity for surveillance. Adding measurements from lingual or interproximal sites to the NHANES 2001-2004 protocol did not improve the accuracy sufficiently to reach acceptable sensitivity thresholds. These findings suggest that NHANES protocols produce high levels of misclassification of periodontitis cases and thus have low validity for surveillance and research.

Periodontal disease: associations with diabetes, glycemic control and complications

OBJECTIVE

This report reviews the evidence for adverse effects of diabetes on periodontal health and periodontal disease on glycemic control and complications of diabetes.

DESIGN

MEDLINE search of the English language literature identified primary research reports published on (a) relationships between diabetes and periodontal diseases since 2000 and (b) effects of periodontal infection on glycemic control and diabetes complications since 1960.

RESULTS

Observational studies provided consistent evidence of greater prevalence, severity, extent, or progression of at least one manifestation of periodontal disease in 13/17 reports reviewed. Treatment and longitudinal observational studies provided evidence to support periodontal infection having an adverse effect on glycemic control, although not all investigations reported an improvement in glycemic control after periodontal treatment. Additionally, evidence from three observational studies supported periodontal disease increasing the risk for diabetes complications and no published reports refuted the findings.

CONCLUSION

The evidence reviewed supports diabetes having an adverse effect on periodontal health and periodontal infection having an adverse effect on glycemic control and incidence of diabetes complications. Further rigorous study is necessary to establish unequivocally that treating periodontal infections can contribute to glycemic control management and to the reduction of the burden of diabetes complications.

Self-reported periodontal disease: validation in an epidemiological survey

BACKGROUND

Evidence is accumulating to support poor oral health as a risk factor for systemic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes control, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and pneumonia. Prohibitive costs for clinical assessment of periodontal disease limit information to assess the prevalence and trends of periodontal diseases in the United States population. However, self-report is used widely to assess economically the population-based prevalence of various medical conditions and health-related behaviors and characteristics.

METHODS

The goal of this secondary data analysis was to identify self-report items sufficiently correlated with clinical periodontal disease for use via face-to-face or telephone interviews. Data for analysis were collected for a project focused on oral health that included face-to-face interview items regarding oral health-related self-care, professional care, and barriers; knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes; risk behavior; impact on quality of life; and demographic characteristics. Also, participants had complete oral examinations.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analyses identified self-reported items contributing to two sets of models predicting moderate or severe periodontal disease (MODSEV) and severe periodontal disease (SEV). Age, gender, race/ethnicity, smoking, and periodontal health-related self-report items constituted predictive models with maximum sensitivity and specificity of 71% and 83%, respectively, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.85 (as a measure of accuracy) for MODSEV. For SEV, predictive models' maximum sensitivity and specificity were 92% and 53%, respectively, with a maximum AUC of 0.92.

CONCLUSION

These analyses suggest that self-report may be valid for surveillance of periodontal disease burden and trends in the American population, in lieu of more costly clinical periodontal examinations.

Prospective evaluation of the systemic inflammatory marker C-reactive protein in patients with end-stage periodontitis getting teeth replaced with dental implants: a pilot investigation

OBJECTIVES

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be a risk predictor for cardiovascular disease. Periodontal treatment reduces elevated CRP levels. The aim of this pilot investigation was to evaluate if dental implants placed after extractions in patients with end-stage periodontitis affect the serum CRP levels.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Serum CRP levels in 10 subjects with end-stage periodontitis were measured prior to tooth extraction and placement of dental implants, and at 3-month intervals for a year post-operatively. Univariate repeated measures analysis of variance was used to estimate and test the changes in CRP levels over time.

RESULTS

Mean CRP levels decreased significantly following tooth extraction and replacement with dental implants from 3.45 to 1.55 mg/dl after 12 months (P < 0.01). Six-, 9-, and 12-month post-implant placement mean CRP values were statistically significantly different from the mean pre-operative CRP value (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The pilot data suggest that extraction of advanced periodontally involved teeth and their replacement with dental implants lead to a decrease in CRP levels, and dental implant placement does not change the lowered CRP levels over a 12-month period.

Perception of general and oral health in White and African American adults: assessing the effect of neighborhood socioeconomic conditions1

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the independent and joint effects of family income and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) on general health and oral health before and after controlling for traditional risk factors in a representative sample of adults aged 18+ years residing in the Detroit tri-county area, Michigan.

METHODS

Individuals data were obtained through interviews, while neighborhood data came from the 1990 US Census. SUDAAN was used to accommodate the complex sampling design and correlation of outcomes within the same neighborhoods.

RESULTS

Whites in disadvantaged neighborhoods were four times more likely to rate their oral health as fair or poor [odds ratio (OR): 4.0; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.6-10.3] than their counterparts in advantaged neighborhoods. When evaluating the joint effects of family income and neighborhood SES, low-income Whites in disadvantaged neighborhoods were six times more likely to rate their oral health as fair or poor (OR: 6.4; 95% CI: 1.6-26.5) than their high-income counterparts in advantaged neighborhoods. The odds of rating general health as fair or poor was six times greater in low-income African Americans in disadvantaged neighborhoods (OR: 6.1; 95% CI: 1.6-23.8) than high-income African Americans in advantaged neighborhoods. Similarly, low-income African Americans in disadvantaged neighborhoods were almost three times (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.0-8.1) more likely to rate their oral health as fair/poor than high-income African Americans in advantaged neighborhoods.

CONCLUSIONS

SES conditions at the neighborhood-level, independently or jointly with individual-level income, appear to be important in evaluating racial/ethnic differences in self-rated oral health. Neighborhood conditions could tap into constructs not captured by individual-level variables on self-rated oral health.

Diabetes, periodontal diseases, dental caries, and tooth loss: a review of the literature

Diabetes mellitus, is a common chronic disease, and its prevalence in the United States, particularly type 2 diabetes, is increasing. Complications associated with diabetes impose a heavy burden on many people, especially among certain minority populations. Periodontal diseases, dental caries, and tooth loss also are common conditions in the United States, but their prevalence is generally decreasing. Nevertheless, among important subgroups of the population, particularly certain minority and economically disadvantaged groups, there is a disproportionately higher burden of periodontal diseases, dental caries, and tooth loss. This article reviews the post-1960 English-language literature on the relationship between diabetes and oral health, specifically focusing on periodontal disease, dental caries, and tooth loss. Substantial evidence exists to support the role of diabetes and poorer glycemic control as important risk factors for periodontal disease. Additionally, the evidence provides support for viewing the relationship between diabetes and periodontal diseases as bidirectional. However, additional research is necessary to firmly establish that treating periodontal infections can contribute to glycemic control management and possibly to the reduction of type 2 diabetes complications. The literature does not describe a consistent relationship between type 2 diabetes and dental caries. It reports increased, decreased, and similar caries experiences between those with and without diabetes. This review suggests that currently there is insufficient evidence to determine whether a relationship between diabetes and risk for coronal or root caries exists. Most of the reviewed studies reported greater tooth loss in people with diabetes. However, the differences were slight and not significant in several of the reports. Furthermore, this review of the association between diabetes and tooth loss reveals that valid population-based evidence generalizable to the US population is sparse. Further investigations of the association of diabetes with dental caries and tooth loss are warranted. If adverse effects of diabetes on dental caries and/or tooth loss are substantiated, the results of such studies would help design intervention studies to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dental caries and tooth loss in people with diabetes. These results also may affect existing clinical practice protocols and promote new public policy related to diabetes.

Factors influencing the effect of race on established periodontitis prevalence

OBJECTIVE

This paper identifies differences in prevalence of established periodontitis and evaluates factors that might explain the differences between non-Hispanic African Americans (n = 232) and whites (n = 199) in the Detroit tricounty area.

METHODS

Subjects from a disproportionate probability sample of community-dwelling adults were interviewed regarding demographic, psychosocial and enabling factors, dental health-related behaviors, and other risk factors, and had comprehensive in-home dental examinations.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of established periodontitis was 20.8 percent; African Americans exhibited a significantly higher prevalence than whites (29.8% vs 17.7%). The crude association between race and prevalence of established periodontitis was significant (odds ratio [OR] for African Americans = 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17,3.34). After controlling for other covariates, we found the effect of race may be modified by dental checkup visit frequency: African Americans with dental checkups at least once a year had almost a fourfold higher odds of established periodontitis (OR = 3.64; 95% CI = 1.43, 9.24) than their white counterparts with dental checkups at least once a year (the referent group); while African Americans with a dental checkups once every two years or less often were more than fourfold less likely to have established periodontitis (OR = 0.22; 95% CI = 0.08, 0.59) than their white counterparts in the referent group.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis supports the disparity in periodontal health as part of the black:white health disparity when taking other factors into account. However, periodontal health disparities may be more complex than previously recognized, requiring greater understanding of factors related to dental care utilization in future studies evaluating this disparity.

DETERMINING DENTAL CHECKUP FREQUENCY

BACKGROUND

The authors assessed the dental checkup frequency of adults living in the Detroit tricounty area and identified demographic, access and subjective factors associated with visits to a dentist made not because of a dental problem.

METHODS

Data are from a 1994 probability-based sample of adults who were interviewed and received an in-home oral examination. The authors used the variables of age, sex, education level, income level, dental insurance status, usual place for care, objective measures of oral health, and subjective assessments of health, pain and dental anxiety to predict the frequency of dental checkups.

RESULTS

The authors found that differences in dental checkup behavior were related to demographics, access to dental care, subjective ratings of oral and general health and other self-assessments, and clinical parameters of oral health. In multiple logistic regression analysis considering all variables simultaneously, sex, income, having a usual place for care and level of dental care anxiety were found to be associated with having dental checkups. The authors determined the statistical significance level at P < .05.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 69.7 percent of the study population reported having had a dental checkup at least once a year in the past five years. The authors found that four factors associated with infrequent dental checkups: being male, having lower income levels, not having a usual place for care and being anxious about receiving dental care.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Dental health professionals should consider the correlates of dental checkup frequency identified in this study and the usefulness of proposed strategies to increase and sustain regular preventive visitation patterns in their own patient populations.

Preventive oral health behaviors among African-Americans and whites in Detroit

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the preventive oral health behaviors of African-Americans and whites.

METHODS

Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a probability sample of 384 African-American and 358 white adults living in the greater Detroit area. Questions focused on brushing, flossing, and dental visits.

RESULTS

More than 95 percent of both groups reported brushing daily; however, whites were more likely to brush all teeth, including parts that do not show. Frequency of flossing did not differ between groups. African-Americans, however, were less likely to floss all of their teeth. Whites were more likely than African-Americans to get dental check-ups at least once a year and much less likely to indicate they had never had a dental check-up. African-Americans tended to have less education and lower family income than whites and were more likely than whites to have Medicaid. Race differences in brushing thoroughness and annual check-ups were greatly reduced when income, education, and insurance were controlled statistically.

CONCLUSIONS

African-Americans are less likely than whites to brush thoroughly, floss thoroughly, and get dental check-ups. These differences are partly traceable to differences in socioeconomic status and access to professional oral health care.

Evaluation and use of an index of oral health status

OBJECTIVES

The goals of this investigation were (1) to evaluate the Oral Health Status Index in relation to demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and preventive behaviors of an adult population; and (2) to understand how individual index components performed as indicators of oral health status compared to the composite index.

METHODS

The Oral Health Status Index (OHSI) was used on a probability sample of adults, aged 18-93 years, living in the Detroit tricounty area. Data were collected on 509 subjects via in-home dental examinations. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the OHSI and its components, including decayed, missing, and replaced teeth, free ends, and moderate and severe periodontal disease measures.

RESULTS

The mean OHSI score for subjects was 77.3 (SE = 1.83) with a range of -8.0 to 100.0. In regression analyses, OHSI scores were positively correlated with subjects' education level, self-rated oral health scores, and frequency of dental checkups and negatively correlated with age, nonwhite race, and smoking. Of the index components, missing teeth performed well as an indicator of oral health status. Missing teeth were positively correlated with age, nonwhite race, and smoking and negatively correlated with education level, self-rated oral health, and use of Medicaid. About 53 percent of variance in OHSI scores was explained by the multivariate models, compared to 46 percent for missing teeth.

CONCLUSIONS

Choosing an indicator of oral health status likely will depend upon the characteristics of the population to be studied. As a composite measure of oral health status, the OHSI performed acceptably; however, missing teeth, an index component, also worked well. Continued evaluation of the OHSI is warranted.