Dental Disparities and Psychological Distress Among Mobility-Impaired Adults

More than one in five American adults has a disability, the most common being mobility impairment (MI). People with MI face significant barriers to healthcare access and are more likely to experience psychological distress. This study examined disparities in access to medical and dental care among people with MI and examine the mediational role of psychological distress on this relationship.

Analyses were conducted on 36,697 adults (aged ≥18 years) responding to the 2014 National Health Interview Survey (analyzed in 2015). MI was defined as needing special equipment and having difficulty walking a quarter mile without equipment. Outcomes included having lost all natural teeth (edentulous), unmet dental needs, annual dental visit, and annual medical visit. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler psychological distress (K6) scale.

Compared with adults without MI, adults with MI had greater odds of being edentulous (OR=2.10, 95% CI=1.82, 2.43), having unmet dental needs (OR=1.99, 95% CI=1.66, 2.40), and lower odds of having annual dental visits (OR=0.62, 95% CI=0.54, 0.71). However, adults with MI were significantly more likely to have annual medical visits (OR=2.31, 95% CI=1.90, 2.81) than adults without MI. Psychological distress partially, yet significantly, mediated the relationship between MI and outcomes.

People with MI have significant oral health needs and poor access to dental care, which are partially mediated by psychological distress. Results suggest that mental health services should be considered for inclusion in interventions and medical visits can be leveraged to improve oral health outcomes in this population.