Cognitive Function and Dental Care Utilization Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Bibliographic Data

ID11026432
AuthorsBei Wu (0000-0002-6891-244X, Bei Wu is with the Center on Aging, West Virginia University, Morgantown, and the Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Brenda L. Plassman is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Jersey Liang is with the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Liang Wei is with the Center on Aging, West Virginia University, Morgtantown.), Brenda L Plassman (0000-0003-2867-7198, Bei Wu is with the Center on Aging, West Virginia University, Morgantown, and the Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Brenda L. Plassman is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Jersey Liang is with the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Liang Wei is with the Center on Aging, West Virginia University, Morgtantown.), Jersey Liang (0000-0002-3210-2031, Bei Wu is with the Center on Aging, West Virginia University, Morgantown, and the Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Brenda L. Plassman is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Jersey Liang is with the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Liang Wei is with the Center on Aging, West Virginia University, Morgtantown.), Wei Liang (0000-0001-7179-9161, West Virginia University), Liang Wei (0000-0001-8967-5036, Bei Wu is with the Center on Aging, West Virginia University, Morgantown, and the Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Brenda L. Plassman is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Jersey Liang is with the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Liang Wei is with the Center on Aging, West Virginia University, Morgtantown.)
Year2007
Volume97
Issue12
Pages2216-2221
Publication date2007-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2007.109934
PMID17971546
PMCIDPMC2089110
OpenAlexW2136541662
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited34

Objectives. We sought to investigate the relationship between varying levels of cognitive function and dental care utilization. Methods. Using data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2002), we performed weighted descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses on 1984 individuals with at least 1 tooth and who were 60 years and older. Results. Multivariate analyses suggested that level of cognitive function was associated with dental care utilization. At a higher level of cognitive functioning, individuals were more likely to have had more frequent dental visits. In addition, a higher level of socioeconomic status, healthy lifestyle, and worse self-rated oral health–related symptoms were more likely to indicate a higher frequency of dental care utilization. By contrast, poorer oral health status as determined by clinical examinations was negatively associated with frequency of dental visits. Conclusions. The results suggest that community-dwelling older adults with low cognitive function are at risk for less frequent use of dental care. Oral health serves as a mediating factor between cognitive function and dental care utilization. There is a great need to improve oral health awareness and education among older adults, caregivers, and health care professionals

Cognition · Environmental health · Family medicine · Health care · Logistic regression · Multivariate analysis · National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey · Oral health · Population · Psychiatry · Socioeconomic status · Tooth loss · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Dental Anxiety and Anesthesia Techniques · Dental Health and Care Utilization · Medicine · Gerontology

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