Self-perceived value of the dentition: Does edentulism matter to Kentuckians?

Kentucky is characterized by high poverty, low education, and dramatic health needs. The oral health status of adult Kentuckians is very poor as they suffer from the accumulation of untreated diseases. Many adults who lack a usual source for dental care utilize the University of Kentucky Oral Surgery Clinic (UKOSC) seeking relief for dental pain and related conditions. Oral surgery has become the treatment of choice for adults since restorative treatment is not covered under Medicaid and its cost is beyond most Kentuckians' means. Kentucky has the second highest rate of edentulism in the country. According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2004), 38.1% of the population 65+ have lost all their teeth. Although highly prevalent, it is unclear if edentulousness affects psychological well-being and life satisfaction to any appreciable degree. This study has important policy implications; it is possible that being edentulous is relatively insignificant when viewed in the context of Kentuckians' lives as a whole. Conversely, edentulism may constitute an additional burden that causes further decrements in their general well-being and quality of life. This study was undertaken to answer the question: does edentulism compromise the quality of life of Kentuckians seeking full-mouth extraction? A cross-sectional study is being conducted among five hundred (500) adults seeking care at UKOSC utilizing a 49-item questionnaire that includes the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14)©. Results will establish if there is an association between edentulism and measures of well-being and life satisfaction among this section of the population.