Use of Dental Health Services within the Past Year among Adults at Risk of Diabetes in the Alabama Black Belt ()
ABSTRACT
Objective: We evaluated the use of dental health services within the past
year among adults at risk of diabetes in the Alabama Black Belt. Methods: Data
for this cross-sectional study was collected in 2005-2006 through the Flying
Sparks project. In addition to descriptive statistics and univariate analysis
(Chi-square), we used multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the
association between dental care use and diabetic status. Results: 1355
individuals responded the survey (mean age 51 years). 67.9% were females and
89.5% African-Americans. 16.7% reported history of diabetes. Overall, 54.5% of
individuals had visited a dentist within the past year. Adults with diabetes
were less likely than those without diabetes to have seen a dentist (13.4% vs
86.6%, p < 0.01). Females were more likely to visit a dentist in the past
year (adjusted OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.11-1.90) than males. African-Americans were
less likely than whites to have seen a dentist (adjusted OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.43-0.97). Lower levels of education and household income were associated with a
greater likelihood of not seeing a dentist in the previous year. After
controlling for gender, health insurance, race, education, report of limited
community health services, routine medical check-up within past year, and
annual household income, individuals with diabetes were significantly less
likely than those without diabetes to have seen a dentist within the preceding
year (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.43-0.84). Conclusions: Individuals with history of
diabetes in the Alabama Black Belt should be encouraged to have annual dental
visits as part of a comprehensive diabetes care plan.
Share and Cite:
Tamí-Maury, I. , Oliveira, A. , Kohler, C. , Foushee, H. and Michael, M. (2014) Use of Dental Health Services within the Past Year among Adults at Risk of Diabetes in the Alabama Black Belt.
Open Journal of Preventive Medicine,
4, 129-137. doi:
10.4236/ojpm.2014.44018.
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