Social context matters: Neighborhood environment as a moderator of the longitudinal relationship between edentulism and cognitive function among older adults in the United States.

Background: Previous research has shown poor oral health and neighborhood environment are both risk factors for cognitive decline among older adults. Little research has assessed the synergistic effects of poor oral health and neighborhood environment on cognitive health. This study examined whether neighborhood environment moderates the relationship between edentulism and cognitive function over time.

Genetic risk factors for periodontitis: a genome-wide association study using UK Biobank data.

Objectives: Periodontitis is linked with many health conditions, but its genetic basis is not yet understood. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) aimed to investigate the genetic variants associated with periodontitis.

Materials And Methods: This study utilised UK Biobank participants of European descent.

Trajectory of Cognitive Decline Across Different Racial/Ethnic Groups: The Role of Edentulism.

This study examines whether age-related cognitive decline varies by race/ethnicity and how edentulism moderates these effects. Data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2020), including 23,669 respondents aged 51 and above across 189,352 person-wave observations were analyzed. Of all respondents, 13.

May family routines impact oral health in American children?

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the association between family routines and dental caries and self-rated oral health status.

Methods: Data from the 2020-2021 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) completed at United States were used. Our outcome variables were self-reported dental caries (yes/no) and poor oral health condition (yes/no).

Age at diagnosis of diabetes, obesity, and the risk of dementia among adult patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: While Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) prevalence is increasing among younger individuals, few studies have examined how age at T2DM diagnosis relates to dementia risk in diabetic populations. We aimed to investigate the association between age at T2DM diagnosis and subsequent dementia risk, and to determine whether obesity moderates this relationship.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study using data from the Health and Retirement Study (2002-2016) matched with its 2003 Diabetes Mail-Out Survey.

Tuning and modeling cheese flavor.

Flavor is a major sensory attribute affecting consumers' preference for cheese products. Differences in cheesemaking change the cheese microenvironment, thereby affecting cheese flavor profiles. A framework for tuning cheese flavor is proposed in this study, which depicts the full picture of flavor development and modulation, from manufacturing and ripening factors through the main biochemical pathways to flavor compounds and flavor notes.

Dental Caries and Preventive Dental Visits Among Children in the U.S.: The Impact of Race/Ethnicity and Immigration.

Introduction: National data on dental caries and dental service use among immigrant children in U.S. are limited.

The most common types of nontraumatic dental conditions among emergency department visits in North Carolina before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: This study aimed to identify the most common types of nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess the variations in the most common NTDCs by patient age groups and rural or urban locations and the impact of COVID-19 on emergency department (ED) visits for NTDCs in North Carolina.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective data analysis of ED data from the North Carolina Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiology Collection Tool. The authors estimated the proportions of NTDCs of all ED visits in 2019 and 2021 and ranked the proportions of the major categories of NTDCs by age groups and rural or urban locations.

Racial and Ethnic Differences Among Active-Duty Service Members in Use of Mental Health Care and Perceived Mental Health Stigma: Results From the 2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey.

Introduction: The prevalence of mental health disorders is rising among US service members; however, research is limited on their use of mental health care. The objective of our study was to determine whether racial and ethnic disparities exist in the use of mental health care and perceived mental health stigma among active-duty service members.

Methods: We obtained data from a sample of 17,166 active-duty service members who participated in the 2018 Department of Defense Health Related Behavior Survey (HRBS).

Diabetes Self-management Education and Support Completion Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From Local Health Departments in North Carolina.

Objective: To assess diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) completion rate and explore the differences in DSMES completion by different delivery models.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 2017-2021 DSMES data at 2 local health departments (LHDs) in Eastern North Carolina. We evaluated DSMES completion by 2 delivery models.

Racial/ethnic disparities in preventive dental services use and dental caries among children.

Objective: To assess disparities in preventive dental service use in four major racial/ethnic groups and assess whether racial/ethnic and income-related disparities among children were reduced from 2016 to 2020.

Methods: Data were from the 2016 and 2020 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). The outcomes of interest were having dental sealants, fluoride treatment, and dental caries in the past 12 months.

Rural-Urban Differences in Use of Dental Services and Procedures Among Medicare Beneficiaries in 2018.

Objective: Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas may face challenges in access to dental care. This study assessed rural-urban differences in the use of dental services and dental procedures by Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods: We obtained data from the 2018 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey cost and use files.

Tooth Loss, Periodontal Disease, and Mild Cognitive Impairment Among Hispanic/Latino Immigrants: The Moderating Effects of Age at Immigration.

Background: The objectives were to assess (a) the association between poor oral health and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Hispanic/Latino immigrants and (b) potential modification effects on this association by age at immigration.

Methods: Data were from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos and its ancillary study-the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging. MCI, a binary outcome variable, defined by the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association criteria.

Effects of the Co-occurrence of Diabetes Mellitus and Tooth Loss on Cognitive Function.

Objective: Both diabetes mellitus (DM) and poor oral health are common chronic conditions and risk factors of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia among older adults. This study assessed the effects of DM and complete tooth loss (TL) on cognitive function, accounting for their interactions.

Methods: Longitudinal data were obtained from the 2006, 2012, and 2018 waves of the Health and Retirement Study.

High sugar intake from sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with prevalence of untreated decay in US adults: NHANES 2013-2016.

Objectives: To assess the association between sugar from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and untreated decay in permanent teeth and calculate the cost burden of sugar from SSBs on untreated decay in US adults.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from the 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analysed in 2020 (n = 9001 adults aged ≥20). Multivariable analyses assessed sugar intake from SSB consumption with the presence of untreated decay in permanent teeth and number of untreated decayed teeth.

Oral Health, Diabetes, and Inflammation: Effects of Oral Hygiene Behaviour.

Introduction: The aim of this research was to assess the association between inflammation and oral health and diabetes, as well as the mediating role of oral hygiene practice in this association.

Methods: Data were from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The analytical sample consisted of 2,191 respondents aged 50 and older.

Association between home health agency ownership status and discharge to community among Medicare beneficiaries.

To investigate the association of ownership status, discharge rate and length of stay (LOS) of home health care (HH) services under the prospective payment system (PPS). We used 2016-2018 Outcome Assessment and Information Set (OASIS) data sets for Medicare beneficiaries. Two outcome variables were investigated: rate of discharge from an HH agency and LOS.

Dental access and expenditures for adults with intellectual and other disabilities.

Objectives: Individuals with disabilities experience greater barriers accessing health care services and have poorer oral health outcomes than those without disabilities. The aims of this study were to examine dental access, utilization, expenditures, and sources of payment between adults with intellectual disabilities (ID), other types of disabilities, and without disabilities.

Methods: Secondary analyses of data from the 2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) allowed examination of dental access (being able to get dental care and receiving necessary dental care without delay), dental utilization (having a dental visit in the past year), total dental expenditures, and associated sources of payment between three groups of adults based on disability status using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable statistics.

Use of oral health care services in the United States: unequal, inequitable-a cross-sectional study.

Background: Social determinants drive disparities in dental visiting. Disparities can be measured simply by comparing outcomes between groups (inequality) but can also consider concepts of social justice or fairness (inequity). This study aimed to assess differences in dental visiting in the United States in terms of both social inequality and inequity.

Willingness to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine and Reasons for Hesitancy Among Medicare Beneficiaries: Results From a National Survey.

Objectives: To assess (1) the willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine among Medicare beneficiaries, (2) the associated factors, and (3) the reasons for vaccine hesitancy.

Methods: Data were taken from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) 2020 Fall COVID-19 Supplement, conducted October-November 2020. Willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine was measured by respondents' answer to whether they would get a COVID-19 vaccine when available.

Narrowing but persisting gender pay gap among employees of the US Department of Health and Human Services during 2010-2018.

Background: The gender pay gap in the United States (US) has narrowed over the last several decades, with the female/male earnings ratio in the US increased from about 60% before the 1980s to about 79% by 2014. However, the gender pay gap among the healthcare workforce persists. The objective of this study is to estimate the gender pay gap in the US federal governmental public health workforce during 2010-2018.

Rural-urban differences in uptake of diabetes self-management education among Medicare beneficiaries: Results from the 2016 to 2018 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.

Purpose: To assess rural-urban differences in participation rates of diabetes self-management education and associated factors among Medicare beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: Data were from the 2016 to 2018 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). Participation in diabetes self-management education was self-reported.

Health Literacy Among Adults With Multiple Chronic Health Conditions.

Low health literacy (HL) is associated with poorer health outcomes. We examined HL among adults with multiple chronic conditions (CCs), using 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Health literacy was measured by 3 subjective questions about difficulty with the following tasks: (1) obtaining health information or advice; (2) understanding spoken health information; and (3) understanding written health information.