Social determinants of health linked with oral health in a representative sample of U.S. adults.

Background: Oral diseases remain a significant public health problem worldwide, with growing gaps in oral health status among various socioeconomic groups. The objective of the current study is to analyze the impact of different social determinants of health (SDOH) on oral health outcomes (frequency of dental visits, self-reported oral health status, embarrassment because of oral health status, and tooth loss) among a representative sample of United States (U.S.

Medical-Dental-Behavioral Integration: Embracing Whole-Person Health in Research and Practice.

The goal of this editorial and following supplement articles is to present different perspectives on the implementation of medical-dental-behavioral integration to provide comprehensive, whole-person care. Through a discussion of barriers to and opportunities that emerge from this type of integrated care, this editorial and supplement provide strong evidence for the importance, feasibility, and necessity of integrated health care and concept of overall health.

Mental Health, Socioeconomic Position, and Oral Health: A Path Analysis.

Introduction: Mental health conditions and poor oral health outcomes share bidirectional links, and both are linked to factors related to socioeconomic position (SEP). We used nationally representative survey data to describe the complex interplay of SEP, mental health, oral health behaviors, dental treatment seeking, and oral health.

Methods: We used data from the 2022 State of Oral Health Equity in America survey, which collects data from US adults on prior depression diagnosis and current depressive symptoms via the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and demographic characteristics (age, sex/gender, race, ethnicity), SEP (education, income, employment, home ownership, dental insurance), oral health behaviors (brushing and flossing frequency), dental treatment seeking (time since last visit, plans for visit in the coming year), and self-rated oral health (feeling self-conscious due to poor oral health, having symptoms of poor oral health).

Teledentistry utilization by oral health professionals and policy considerations: A mixed methods case study.

Objectives: To examine variations in the delivery of teledentistry after the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore oral health professionals' utilization of various teledentistry modes of delivery.

Methods: In this mixed methods case study, we collected teledentistry claims data from patient electronic health records (n = 78,756) encompassing various types of teledentistry utilization in clinical settings and through community outreach from a Dental Support Organization (DSO) in Oregon from January 2021 to November 2022. We analyzed the patient demographic and claims data using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses to identify patterns of teledentistry service delivery.

Dental anxiety and oral health in American Indian and Alaska natives.

Objective: American Indian and Alaska native (AI/AN) individuals report distrust of the healthcare system. This study explored associations between having either high levels of dental distrust or high levels of dental care-related fear and anxiety ("dental anxiety") and oral health outcomes in AI/AN adults.

Methods: The 2022 State of Oral Health Equity in America survey included the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and asked to what extent respondents agreed with the statement, "At my last oral health visit, I trusted the oral health provider I saw", and asked about self-rated oral health and presence of a dental home.

Dental providers' familiarity with and attitudes about alternative payment models in value-based care.

The objective of this study was to examine dental providers' familiarity with and attitudes toward alternative payment models (APMs) in a value-based care (VBC) delivery model. The authors analyzed responses to questions pertaining to VBC and APMs from a survey conducted between March and April 2021. Responses were stratified by age, race, practice location, practice type, and provider specialty using descriptive and inferential analysis, including Pearson chi-square or Fisher exact test.

Discrimination and Dignity Experiences in Prior Oral Care Visits Predict Racialized Oral Health Inequities Among Nationally Representative US Adults.

Racism, an oppressive and fallacious sociopolitical hierarchy, is a fundamental cause of oral health inequities worldwide. Everyday discrimination is associated with worse self-rated oral health, toothache and adult tooth loss, and lower oral care utilization. Few studies examine discrimination or microaggressions within oral care settings or their effects on oral health outcomes.

Opioids for acute and chronic pain when receiving psychiatric medications.

Background: People with mental health disorders (MHD) like depression and anxiety are more likely to experience substance use disorders (SUDs) than those without MHD. This study assesses opioid prescription patterns for acute or chronic pain management in patients receiving medication for depression and/or anxiety.

Methods And Findings: Cross-sectional data trend analysis of 24.

Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Care Utilization and Oral Health Conditions in the United States.

Purpose: We aim to understand the impact of the COVID-19 on health care utilization and oral health conditions of patients at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), where patients are disproportionately low income, publicly insured, or uninsured.

Methods: Using deidentified electronic health records of patients at FQHCs in the United States from January 2019 through December 2020 ( = 431,509), variations in health care utilization since the COVID-19 outbreak were observed by procedure types and patient characteristics. Changes in dental utilization and oral health conditions were characterized using mixed-effect negative binomial and logistic regression models.

Periodontal treatment associated with decreased diabetes mellitus-related treatment costs: An analysis of dental and medical claims data.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and periodontal disease have a suggested bidirectional relationship. Researchers have reported decreases in DM-related health care costs after periodontal treatment. The authors examined the relationship between periodontal disease treatment and DM health care costs in commercial insurance and Medicaid claims data.

Perceptions about human papillomavirus vaccine and oropharyngeal cancers, and the role of dental care providers in human papillomavirus prevention among US adults.

Background: The authors examined adults' perceptions about the importance of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in preventing oropharyngeal cancers and dental care providers' role in HPV prevention and identified associated factors.

Methods: Adults (≥ 18 years) completed a national survey of consumer and patient attitudes, experiences, and behaviors on oral health. Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression models determined associations between perceptions regarding HPV and attitudes toward dental care providers' role and HPV knowledge, HPV vaccine recommendation, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Caries risk and social determinants of health: A big data report.

Background: Oral health is influenced by social determinants of health (SDH), predisposing people and communities to greater risk of developing caries. This study evaluated the association between caries risk in adults and SDH such as ZIP Codes, systemic diseases, payment methods, and race or ethnicity.

Methods: The BigMouth Dental Data Repository (n = 57,211) was used to extract clinical and SDH data from patients' dental electronic health records for 2019.

Estimation of oral disease burden from claims and self-reported data.

Objective: To compare the use of Medicaid and commercial claims data with self-reported survey data in estimating the prevalence of oral disease burden.

Methods: We analyzed 2018 Medicaid claims from the IBM Watson Medicaid Marketscan database, commercial claims from the IBM Dental Database, and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. The estimate of oral disease burden was based on standard metrics using periodontal and caries-related Current Dental Terminology (CDT) procedure codes.

Oral Cancer Prevalence, Mortality, and Costs in Medicaid and Commercial Insurance Claims Data.

Background: This study compared prevalence, incidence, mortality rates, treatment costs, and risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OC/OPC) between two large United States adult cohorts in 2012-2019.

Methods: Medicaid and commercial claims data came from the IBM Watson Health MarketScan Database. Logistic regression analyses estimated incidence and risk factors for OC/OPC.

Dentist perceptions about the value of teledentistry.

Background: Teledentistry has expanded access to oral health care by allowing patients and providers the option to receive care using technology and telecommunications. This study used a cross-sectional, mixed-methods design to evaluate dentists' perceptions in the United States and understanding of the value and scope of teledentistry in their practices and to adopt virtual encounters as a care delivery methodology.

Methods: This study used a cross-sectional, mixed-methods design.

Evaluating Trust in the Patient-Dentist Relationship: A Mixed-Method Study.

Background: The objective of this article was to understand the trust of study participants in dental providers and trust-building practices used by dentists to establish and maintain trust with their patients.

Methods: This study used a concurrent cross-sectional mixed-methods design to measure the participants' trust in their dental providers. An 11-item Dental Trust Scale (DTS) questionnaire was administered to 150 White, Black, and Hispanic study participants.

Association Between Mental Health and Oral Health Status and Care Utilization.

Studies have shown that mental health and oral health may be correlated, with associations demonstrated between mental health problems and tooth loss, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. The COVID-19 pandemic had alarming implications for individuals' and communities' mental and emotional health. This study examined the associations between mental health status, oral health status, and oral healthcare utilization and highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on mental health.

The impact of underutilization of preventive dental care by adult Medicaid participants.

Objective: To ascertain the financial impact associated with the underutilization of preventive dental care for adults enrolled in Medicaid.

Methods: We used adult claims data for patients aged 21-64 in the IBM Watson Marketscan Medicaid database. Enrollees were included if they had at least one dental claim in 2019 and were continuously enrolled between 2014 and 2019.

Age of First Oral Health Examination and Dental Treatment Needs of Medicaid-Enrolled Children.

Introduction: Early childhood caries (ECC), despite being preventable, remains the most prevalent disease of childhood, particularly in children between the ages of 2 and 5 y. The association between the type of health care provider completing initial oral health examinations and subsequent dental caries in children under 6 y of age is unclear.

Objective: The objective of the current study is to longitudinally assess the association between age at first oral health examination and provider type at first oral health examination on dental treatment for children under 6 y of age.

Identifying the Utility of Dental Providers in Human Papillomavirus Prevention Efforts: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2018.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to (1) examine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in adolescents and young adults in the U.S., including those who had a dental visit in the last year but not a medical visit and (2) to determine an association between last visit to the dentist and HPV vaccination status.

A cross-sectional analysis of oral health care spending over the life span in commercial- and Medicaid-insured populations.

Background: Life course theory creates a better framework to understand how oral health care needs and challenges align with specific phases of the life span, care models, social programs, and changes in policy.

Methods: The authors obtained data from the 2018 IBM Watson Multi-State Medicaid MarketScan Database (31 million claims) and the 2018 IBM Watson Dental Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Claims Database (45 million claims). The authors conducted analysis comparing per enrollee spending on fee-for-service dental claims and medical spending on oral health care for patients from ages 0 through 89 years.

Association between first oral examination characteristics and dental treatment needs in privately insured children: A claims data analysis.

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) remains the most common, preventable infectious disease among children in the United States. Screening is recommended after the eruption of the first tooth, but it is unclear how the age at first dental examination is associated with eventual restorative treatment needs. The authors of this study sought to determine how provider type and age at first dental examination are associated longitudinally with caries experience among children in the United States.

Trends in national opioid prescribing for dental procedures among patients enrolled in Medicaid.

Background: The authors examined trends in opioid prescriptions by dentists for children and nonsenior adults enrolled in Medicaid.

Methods: The authors used the IBM Watson Medicaid claims databases for 2012 through 2019 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conversion data set. Opioid prescriptions were linked to a dental visit when prescribed within 3 days of the dental visit and if the patient had no medical visit reported during that period.

Dental Visits during Pregnancy: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Analysis 2012-2015.

Objectives: This study aimed to update dental service utilization during pregnancy and to evaluate whether there are persistent disparities in dental care during pregnancy by race/ethnicity and Medicaid status.

Methods: This retrospective secondary data analysis examined dental service utilization during and prior to pregnancy and met dental or oral health needs using the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data sets on 75,876 women between 2012 and 2015.

Results: Only about half of the women (51.