Title

Adverse childhood experiences and dental health in children and adolescents

Authors

Authors

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

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

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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