1. Are routine dental check-ups associated with better health outcomes among US adults? Chao Sun, MD, MPH; V. James Guillory, DO, MPH; Paul Dew, MD, MPH. Dept. Of Preventive Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Kansas City, Missouri

2. Background(1) How oral health affects quality of life Oral pain Difficulty eating Total tooth loss Use of dentures Multiple medications Diseases related to the mouth

3. Background(2) The American Dental Association recommendation Brushing and flossing Regular dental visits The Healthy People 2010 objective Increase the proportion of dental care utilization 56% of persons(>=2yrs) have access to see dentists

4. Background(3) Challenge to meet the objective Overlooked issue Beneficial evidence Risk factors Behavioral change

5. Purpose of the study The purpose of this study was to assess if routine dental check-ups are associated with better health outcomes among US adults

6. Methods(1) Data source The 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Study population Adults aged 18 and older Measure of variables (1) Routine dental check-ups

7. Methods(2) Measures of variables (2) Health outcomes 1. Emergency room visits 2. Perceived health status 3. Wearing dentures 4. Lost all adult teeth

8. Methods(3) Socio-demographic factors Age, sex, race, education & health insurance Statistical analysis Statistical software: SAS 8.0 Descriptive analysis Multiple linear regression modeling

9. Results Socio-demographic information Table 1 Association between dental check-ups and socio-demographic factors Table 2 Association between dental check-ups and health outcomes Table 3

13. Summary(1) 59% of adults had a routine dental check-up in the past year 16.8% of adults never had dental check-up Males, minorities, older people, & people with lower education or with no health insurance were less likely to have a routine dental check-up in the past year

14. Summary (2) Routine dental check-ups were associated with better health outcomes Health insurance & education are most important to reduce the disparity in access to dental service