Dental caries risk in the U.S. Air Force

This study describes the dental caries risk in the active duty U.S. Air Force population from October 2000 through September 2004.

The authors used data collected from two Air Force databases (personnel and dental files) by cross-referencing Social Security numbers from both databases with date.

During the study period, the percentages of people at high and moderate risk of developing caries decreased by 31 percent and 12 percent, respectively, while the percentage of people at low risk of developing caries increased by 9 percent. Among Air Force members who were enrolled continuously during the study period, the percentages at high and moderate risk of developing caries decreased by 57 percent and 18 percent, respectively, while the percentage at low risk of developing caries increased by 14 percent. The authors observed improvement in caries risk in 83 percent and 73 percent of the people at high and moderate caries risk, respectively, for those continuously enrolled. High caries risk was related inversely to age, rank, education and years in service. Also, tobacco users had an elevated risk of developing caries.

The Air Force Dental Service has made great strides in improving the oral health of the Air Force population. The results of this study suggest that caries risk is decreasing in the Air Force population, but oral health disparities still exist and require further evaluation.

This investigation suggests that a caries risk assessment can be conducted successfully, and caries risk can be reduced by using a comprehensive population-based prevention program. This caries risk assessment also can identify factors associated with dental caries disparities in a large-scale population.