Using data from several studies, the authors examined oral health needs among adolescents and adults over time in Central Harlem (CH). These studies included: 1) a cross-sectional general health survey of a representative random sample of adults (ages 18-65, years 1992-94); 2) a longitudinal health study, which followed an initial probability sample of adolescents (ages 12-17, years 1965-1995); and 3) clinical oral examinations from two school-based dental health programs (ages 12-17, years 1996-97). The first study revealed that among a range of 50 commonly reported general health problems and chronic illnesses, the most commonly noted was "problems with teeth or gums" for all age groups. The longitudinal study also revealed that 9/10 youths examined required a referral for dental treatment and the majority of participants received poor/fair dental evaluations for their teeth/gums. From the school-based program, the mean DMFT for youths from participating CH schools was 3.66 (DT=1.47, MT=.30, FT=1.89). Compared to black U.S. children of the same age collected in NHANES III: black 2.36 (DT=.73, MT=.11, FT=1.52), CH has higher prevalence of dental caries. Using these data, the authors also examined self-perception of dental need, service utilization, barriers to care, self-protected behaviors, and the relationship between oral health disease and other health conditions. Overall, dental need did not change with age, nor did it change over time. These findings indicate severe unmet need for primary oral health care among adolescents and adults. Further investigation is urgently needed to evaluate access to care issues and to identify service capacity.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. identify and assess indicators of unmet need, 2. develop methods and strategies to evaluate access to primary oral health care issues, 3. compare local findings to national data, 4. consider implications for improving access to primary care, 5. understand how information culled from three distinct data sets from the same community can contribute to the description and analysis of the oral health patterns of that community
Keywords: Oral Health Needs, Oral Health Outcomes
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.