Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026
Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
Associations between selected demographic parameters and dental status: potential implications for orodental
H C Fischer1, G F Funk, L H Karnell
1University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, USA.
Purpose:
This pilot study evaluated potential relationships between dental status and various sociodemographic variables in the age group segment of the United States population at greatest risk for the disruption of dental function due to treatment of an oral cavity cancer.
Methods:
The Dental Health Supplement of the 1989 National Health Interview Survey was used to evaluate the self-reported status of natural dentition and prior dental rehabilitation among the population of persons 45 years or older.
Results:
Sociodemographic variables, which showed a significant association with status of natural dentition, were level of income and occupation at lower income levels (p < 0.05). Increased levels of prior dental rehabilitation were significantly associated with lower age, female gender, increased level of income, and occupation (p < 0.05). Occupations that required social interaction had the highest levels of both status of natural dentition and prior dental rehabilitation (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Overall dental status after treatment of oral cancer may be related to the occupational status of many persons. Sociodemographic factors that influence the dental rehabilitation needs of individual patients after treatment of an oral cancer should be considered in policy decisions affecting accessibility of dental rehabilitative care. A follow-up, survey study that would further define the identified relationships between a person's demographic status and dental rehabilitation needs is recommended.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:15Teeth
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 and...
01:21Tooth 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 grinding food.
01:27The Oral Microbiota