Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants
Published on: March 29, 2018
Early Life Violent Victimisation and Dental Care Use From Adolescence Through Adulthood
Alexander Testa1, Luis Mijares1, Dylan B Jackson2
1Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
Objectives:
This study examined the relationship between early-life violent victimisation and dental care utilisation patterns from adolescence to middle adulthood (ages 11-43).
Methods:
Data were from Waves I through V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) was used to examine patterns of dental care use across five waves, spanning ages 11-43. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between violent victimisation experiences in adolescence and dental care use trajectory group membership, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic and health-related covariates.
Results:
Four dental care trajectories were identified: High Dental Care Use (22.8%), Intermittent Decreasing Dental Care Use (38.6%), Intermittent Increasing Dental Care Use (21.8%) and Low Dental Care Use (16.9%). Higher violent victimisation in adolescence was associated with an increased relative risk of belonging to the Intermittent Dental Care Use (RRR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02-1.41) and Low Dental Care Use (RRR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01-1.46) compared to the High Dental Care Use group.
Conclusions:
Early-life violent victimisation serves as a risk factor for less regular dental care use over the life course. Addressing the cumulative effects of violent victimisation through trauma-informed care and targeted interventions may improve dental care access and mitigate disparities over the life course.
Related Concept Videos
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral
Weaning, typically occurring...
Bullying
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Conduct Disorder

