Terrell A Hicks1,2,3, Sarah M Wilson4,5, Shaun P Thomas6,4, Paul A Dennis6,4, Julia M Neal4, Patrick S Calhoun6,4,5,7. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA. terrell.hicks@duke.edu. 2. Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Durham, NC, 27705, USA. terrell.hicks@duke.edu. 3. Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3022 Croasdaile Dr. Room 304, Durham, NC, 27705, USA. terrell.hicks@duke.edu. 4. Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Durham, NC, 27705, USA. 5. VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC, 27705, USA. 6. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA. 7. Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Compared to the United States (U.S.) general population, military veterans are at an increased risk of experiencing dental problems. This study documented associations between cigarette use and measures of dental/oral concern in a population of U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. METHOD: A cross-sectional analysis of survey data from the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans Health and Needs Study, a study of U.S. military veterans. Out of 5000 surveys mailed to a random sample of OEF/OIF veterans, 1161 surveys were completed and returned. Among study respondents, N = 1114 had non-missing dental/oral pain data and were included for analysis. The survey also included smoking history and demographic information. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to cross-sectionally model the odds of experiencing dental/oral concerns as a function of smoking status. We also examined moderating effects of income and gender on the association between smoking and dental/oral concerns. RESULTS: In univariate and multivariate models, current smoking was associated with risk for dental/oral concerns. However, this association was qualified by a Smoking × Income interaction. For those earning above US$20,000, smoking was not associated with dental/oral concerns. Among veterans with low income, smoking was associated with three times higher odds of increased dental/oral concerns. There was no significant Gender × Smoking interaction. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the relevance of factors that moderate the association between smoking and dental/oral concern, namely income. Findings also underscore the importance of interventions to mitigate income disparities in oral healthcare.
PURPOSE: Compared to the United States (U.S.) general population, military veterans are at an increased risk of experiencing dental problems. This study documented associations between cigarette use and measures of dental/oral concern in a population of U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. METHOD: A cross-sectional analysis of survey data from the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans Health and Needs Study, a study of U.S. military veterans. Out of 5000 surveys mailed to a random sample of OEF/OIF veterans, 1161 surveys were completed and returned. Among study respondents, N = 1114 had non-missing dental/oral pain data and were included for analysis. The survey also included smoking history and demographic information. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to cross-sectionally model the odds of experiencing dental/oral concerns as a function of smoking status. We also examined moderating effects of income and gender on the association between smoking and dental/oral concerns. RESULTS: In univariate and multivariate models, current smoking was associated with risk for dental/oral concerns. However, this association was qualified by a Smoking × Income interaction. For those earning above US$20,000, smoking was not associated with dental/oral concerns. Among veterans with low income, smoking was associated with three times higher odds of increased dental/oral concerns. There was no significant Gender × Smoking interaction. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the relevance of factors that moderate the association between smoking and dental/oral concern, namely income. Findings also underscore the importance of interventions to mitigate income disparities in oral healthcare.
Authors: Patrick S Calhoun; Amie R Schry; H Ryan Wagner; Nathan A Kimbrel; Paul Dennis; Scott D McDonald; Jean C Beckham; Eric A Dedert; Harold Kudler; Kristy Straits-Troster Journal: Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse Date: 2015-07-08 Impact factor: 3.829
Authors: Stefano Cianetti; Chiara Valenti; Massimiliano Orso; Giuseppe Lomurno; Michele Nardone; Anna Palma Lomurno; Stefano Pagano; Guido Lombardo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-24 Impact factor: 3.390