Adverse childhood experiences and dental health in children and adolescents

    Authors

    M. A. Bright; S. M. Alford; M. S. Hinojosa; C. Knapp;D. E. Fernandez-Baca

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Community Dentist. Oral Epidemiol.

    Keywords

    pediatric dentistry; psychosocial aspects of oral health; stress; ORAL-HEALTH; SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS; STRESS; IMPACT; CARE; ACCESS; PERFORMANCE; DISPARITIES; ENVIRONMENT; ADULTHOOD; Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine; Public, Environmental & Occupational; Health

    Abstract

    ObjectiveThis study seeks to explore the how specific toxic stressors, specifically adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and their frequencies may be associated with tooth condition and the presence of caries. MethodsData from the 2011-12 National Survey for Child Health (NSCH), a nationally representative survey of child health, were used in this study. Pediatric dental health was measured using parent report of two characteristics: condition of teeth and having a toothache, decayed teeth, and/or unfilled cavities in the past 12months. ACEs were measured by asking about a child's exposure to the divorce of a parent, parental incarceration, domestic violence, neighborhood violence, drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, and financial hardship. Analyses were adjusted by sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare access and utilization, and comorbid chronic conditions. ResultsThe presence of even one ACE in a child's life increased the likelihood of having poor dental health. Additionally, having multiple ACEs had a cumulative negative effect on the condition of their teeth and the presence of dental caries (Odds Ratios 1.61-2.55). Adjusted models show that racial and socioeconomic factors still play a significant role in dental health. ConclusionsIn addition to the known disparities in dental caries, this study demonstrates that there is significant association between childhood psychosocial issues and dental health. Preventive dental care should be considered incorporating the screening of multiple biological stressors, including ACEs, in routine dental visits as a means of identifying and reducing dental health inequities.

    Journal Title

    Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology

    Volume

    43

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2015

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    193

    Last Page

    199

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000353058200001

    ISSN

    0301-5661

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