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

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.