257557 Surveillance for selected tobacco-use behaviors among Nevada Adolescents, 2002-2010

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Marcia M. Ditmyer, PhD, MCHES , School of Dental Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Christina A. Demopoulos, DDS MPH , School of Dental Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Mildred McClain, PhD , Clinical Sciences, UNLV School of Dental Medicine, las Vegas, NV
Georgia Dounis, DDS, MS , Clinical Sciences, UNLV School of Dental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV
Connie Mobley, PhD, RD , School of Dental Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Objectives: A trend analysis was conducted to determine tobacco and marijuana practices of Nevada adolescents. Secondarily, these practices were compared to oral health status to assess whether there were differences based on type and amount reported. Relative comparative data were contrasted to nationally reported data. Methods: Retrospective cohort data was pulled from an ongoing statewide, school-based, oral health screening initiative conducted across 8 years (2002-2010) in public/private middle/high schools in Nevada. A total of 66,941oral health screenings of adolescents between ages 13-18 were conducted. Self-reported data was collected on tobacco/marijuana use. Descriptive statistics and trends were reported. Differences in Mean, Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) Indices and mean Untreated Tooth Decay were reported by type and amount of tobacco/marijuana use. Results: Prevalence of tobacco use was approximately the same as the national average, however, Nevada had significantly higher rates of marijuana use (12.0% vs. 3.3%). Prevalence and severity of dental caries was significantly higher in those who used tobacco/ marijuana than those who did not across all 8 years controlling for gender, race/ethnicity, where they lived, and exposure to secondhand smoke. Conclusions: Tobacco/marijuana practices negatively affected oral health status with marijuana having the largest negative effect. The findings can help identify challenges facing and need for increased tobacco/marijuana prevention services targeted toward adolescents in the geographic areas most at risk.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to: 1. Discuss the trends in tobacco/marijuana use by Nevada adolescents as they compare to adolescents in U.S. 2. Explain differences in oral health status between those who use tobacco/marijuana and those who do not 3. List challenges facing healthcare professionals in Nevada regarding tobacco practices reported by adolescents across Nevada

Keywords: Tobacco, Marijuana

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I collected, manage and analyzed the data in this study. I working in oral health and behavioral studies for over 10 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.