Association between depressive symptoms and anxiety and use of oral health services and tooth loss among U.S. adults

Background: Few studies have examined the relationship between use of oral health services and tooth loss and mental health disorders; and those that have, produced mixed results.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the associations among depression, anxiety, use of oral health services, and tooth loss.

Methods: Data were analyzed for 246,875 noninstitutionalized adults in 48 states/territories that participated in the 2006 and 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Results: Men and women with 1–5 missing teeth, 6–31 missing teeth, and those who were edentulous were significantly more likely to have current depression than those without tooth loss; and those who had 1–5 missing teeth and 6–31 missing teeth were more likely to have a lifetime diagnosed anxiety than those without tooth loss. Women who had used oral health services in the past year were significantly less likely to have current depression than those who had not. Notably, men who had accessed oral health services in the past year were significantly more likely to have lifetime diagnosed anxiety than those who had not.

Conclusions: Dental health professionals have an opportunity to screen for depression and anxiety as well as the usage of psychotropic medications during the provision of oral health services. Mental health professionals should encourage their patients to obtain oral health services.