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Objectives: To determine whether there is a socioeconomic status (SES) disparity in caries experience (i.e., DMFT) in an adolescent sample from Pennsylvania and to determine whether differences in oral hygiene behaviors and preventive interventions account for this disparity., Methods: A cross-sectional clinical assessment was conducted on a representative sample of 9th grade and 11th grade students across Pennsylvania. These students also completed a brief questionnaire regarding their oral hygiene behaviors. From this group of students, a random subsample of 530 parents completed a questionnaire assessing SES, fluoride exposure, and recency of receipt of dental services. DMFT was examined at two thresholds of severity: simple prevalence (DMFT > 0) and severe caries (DMFT > 3)., Results: Using structural equation modeling, we found that lower SES was associated with higher prevalence of DMFT and higher prevalence of severe caries. Although lower SES was associated with lower rates of brushing, less use of sealants, and less recent receipt of dental services, these oral health behaviors and preventive interventions did not account for the disparities in DMFT defined by SES., Conclusions: There is an SES gradient in caries experience in adolescents in Pennsylvania. Disparities in caries experience, however, cannot be accounted for by SES-associated differences in brushing, flossing, sealant use, fluoride exposure, or recency of use of dental services. To facilitate the design of preventive interventions, future research should determine the pathways through which SES-associated disparities occur.

Aim Saliva is important for maintaining oral function and regulating oral health. Reduced saliva flow rate, which is common among older adults, has been reported to be associated with perceived chewing and swallowing difficulties; however, its relationship to actual nutrient intake is unclear. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship between hyposalivation and nutrient intake among older Japanese adults. Methods The participants were 352 community-based Japanese aged 80 years. A stimulated salivary flow rate <0.5 mL/min was defined as hyposalivation. Multivariable analysis of differences in nutrient and food intake outcome variables, which were collected through a validated food frequency questionnaire, between groups with/without hyposalivation was carried out using general linear models. Models included adjustment for number of teeth, denture use, sex, income, education, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use, diabetes, medication, activities of daily living, depression and total calorie intake. Results The hyposalivation group had significantly lower intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and folate than the group without hyposalivation ( P < 0.05) after adjusting for confounders. Vegetable, fish and shellfish consumption was significantly lower in the hyposalivation group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Dietary intake was poorer in those with hyposalivation than among those without. A decrease in stimulated salivary flow rate could have negative effects on geriatric nutrition. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 500-507. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship of oral health status defined on the basis of presence of posterior occluding pairs ( POPs) and adequacy of removable denture fit as determined by self-report to nutrient and food intake among older Japanese. Methods The subjects were 353 Japanese aged 80 years in 2008 and were classified into four groups according to the number of POPs, defined as pairs of occluding natural, restored, or fixed prosthetic postcanine teeth (range: 0-8) and removable denture status. The groups were: (i) good dentition ( n = 56; 8 POPs and no removable prosthesis), (ii) well-fitting dentures ( n = 158; <8 POPs with self-reported good-fitting dentures), (iii) ill-fitting dentures ( n = 70; <8 POPs with self-reported ill-fitting dentures), and (iv) compromised dentition ( n = 69; <8 POPs and no removable prosthesis). Multivariable analysis of the differences in nutrient and food intake outcome variables which were collected via validated food frequency questionnaire among the four oral health status groups was conducted using general linear models. Results Intake of multiple nutrients was significantly ( P < 0.05) lower in the group with ill-fitting dentures or compromised dentition than in the good dentition group. Vegetable, fish, and shellfish consumption was significantly lower in the ill-fitting dentures or compromised dentition groups. No significant differences were seen in dietary intake between the well-fitting dentures and good dentition groups. Conclusions Dietary intake was poorer in those with self-perceived ill-fitting dentures or fewer POPs than among those having all POPs. Regular dental care to maintain intact dentition, as well as dental treatment to replace missing teeth and ensure adequate denture fit and function, may be important to the diet intake and subsequent nutritional status of older Japanese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the association between clinical and psychosocial factors as they related to perceptions by parents and adolescents to the adolescent's oral health status and treatment need. Additionally, the degree to which adolescent's and parent's perceptions of oral health and treatment need were related was examined. Methods: Data from the Pennsylvania oral health needs assessment for 530 parent–adolescent pairs were used to address the objectives of this study. Comparisons between clinical oral health measures, psychosocial factors, and the parent- and adolescent-reported perceptions of the adolescent's oral health status were made using descriptive and inferential statistics, including exploratory factor analysis and path analysis. Results: Parents and adolescents exhibited only modest concordance on ratings of the adolescent's oral health status and need for dental treatment. Furthermore, parents tended to rate their adolescent's oral health status as better than did the adolescent. The results of the path analysis showed that adolescents based their ratings of oral health status more on oral symptoms, while parents rated their adolescent's oral health more on esthetic or psychosocial factors. Conclusions: Adolescents and parents based their perceptions of oral health status and treatment need on different underlying factors. Additionally, adolescents’ perceptions of their oral health status and treatment needs did not appear to be communicated to their parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]