Adverse Childhood Experiences And Dental Health In Children And Adolescents

Keywords

pediatric dentistry; psychosocial aspects of oral health; stress

Abstract

Objective This 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. Methods Data 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 12 months. 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. Results The 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. Conclusions In 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.

Publication Date

6-1-2015

Publication Title

Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology

Volume

43

Issue

3

Number of Pages

193-199

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12137

Socpus ID

84927780621 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84927780621

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