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Published on: February 23, 2024
Neighbourhoods and oral health: Agent-based modelling of tooth decay
T Broomhead1, D Ballas2, S R Baker1
1Unit of Oral Health, Dentistry and Society, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, S10 2TA, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
This research used proof of concept agent-based models to test various theoretical mechanisms by which neighbourhoods may influence tooth decay in adults. Theoretical pathways were constructed using existing literature and tested in two study areas in Sheffield, UK. The models found a pathway between shops and sugar consumption had the most influence on adult tooth decay scores, revealing that similar mechanisms influence this outcome in different populations. This highlighted the importance of the interactions between neighbourhood features and individual level variables in influencing outcomes in tooth decay. Further work is required to improve the accuracy and reliability of the models.
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