Journal of public health dentistry
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J Public Health Dent · Jan 2003
The dynamics of toothache pain and dental services utilization: 24-month incidence.
The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to describe patterns of change in reported toothache pain, and (2) to examine the impact of toothache pain on dental care utilization and vice versa. ⋯ In this diverse sample of adults, toothache pain occurs frequently and is quite variable overtime. Toothache occurs in conjunction with various forms of self-reported oral disease (e.g., abscess, cavities) or tissue damage (e.g., loose tooth, broken tooth, bleeding gums). Subjects who experience toothache are slightly more likely than others to utilize dental services in the time period proximate to the toothache pain.
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This study investigated racial differences in orofacial pain symptoms in a sample of older adults. Orofacial pain prevalence, persistence, severity, and behavioral impact were assessed. We also tested whether sex and race interact, such that racial differences are only observed for a single sex, or whether sex differences only occur within a single racial group. ⋯ Although pain prevalence is an important public health variable, this study suggests that other pain-related variables, such as behavioral impacts, are useful when describing disparities associated with orofacial pain.
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J Public Health Dent · Jan 2002
Predictors of chewing difficulty onset among dentate adults: 24-month incidence.
Chewing ability is an important measure of health-related quality of life, yet few studies have examined predictors of chewing difficulty in community-based samples. This study describes longitudinal patterns of chewing difficulty and identifies predictors of chewing difficulty onset. ⋯ Self-reported oral disease and tissue damage and toothache pain were strong predictors of decline in chewing ability. Additionally, women were identified as a high-risk group for incident chewing difficulty. Future research should elaborate further the pathways through which these factors affect oral function.
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J Public Health Dent · Jan 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialAn ABCD program to increase access to dental care for children enrolled in Medicaid in a rural county.
The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) Program addresses the needs of families in obtaining dental care. In this study, the program was evaluated in rural Stevens County, Washington. Aims were to assess utilization of dental services, average dental expenditures per child, and oral health status. ⋯ ABCD most benefited the youngest cohort of children and improved health.
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J Public Health Dent · Jan 2002
Racial and socioeconomic disparities in oral disadvantage, a measure of oral health-related quality of life: 24-month incidence.
This paper estimates the incidence of oral disadvantage based on the subject's approach to dental care, sex, race, and financial status; identifies demographic and socioeconomic characteristics that were associated with oral disadvantage; and determines if these characteristics were differentially associated with the three domains of oral disadvantage. ⋯ African Americans, females, rural residents, individuals who did not graduate from high school, individuals with limited financial resources, and problem-oriented dental attenders had significantly higher occurrences of oral disadvantage. Racial and sex disparities in oral disadvantage were largely explained by differences in approach to dental care and financial resources between these groups.