Biomedical subjects

Gregg H Gilbert

Publications and source records attributed to Gregg H Gilbert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effect of dental practice characteristics on racial disparities in patient-specific tooth loss.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that dental practice characteristics are associated with tooth loss incidence with both tooth-specific and patient-specific characteristics already taken into account. RESEARCH DESIGN: A population-based prospective cohort study was conducted. In-person interviews and clinical examinations were done at baseline, 24, and 48 months, with telephone interviews every 6 months. Practices that coincidentally served participants in the study completed practice characteristics questionnaires. To increase inferential power when testing practice-level effects, detailed tooth-specific and patient-specific data were simultaneously taken into account in tests for association between practice-level effects and tooth loss. SETTING: Data were from the Florida Dental Care Study. The key health outcome was tooth loss, a leading measure of a population's oral health. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred seventy-three African-Americans and non-Hispanic whites who had at least 1 tooth. RESULTS: Certain practice characteristics were associated with tooth loss, including the racial mix of the practice's patient population; persons who attended practices with higher percentages of African-Americans were more likely to receive a dental extraction regardless of the individual patient's race. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first longitudinal report of increased risk for tooth loss resulting from practice-level effects. Although a patient-level racial disparity remained evident, and even with detailed tooth-specific and patient-level characteristics taken into account, racial differences in characteristics of practices attended independently contributed to the patient-level racial disparity in health.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2006

Practice characteristics associated with patient-specific receipt of dental diagnostic radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the role of practice characteristics in patient-specific receipt of dental diagnostic radiographic services. DATA SOURCE/STUDY SETTING: Florida Dental Care Study (FDCS). Study Design. The FDCS was a 48-month prospective observational cohort study of community-dwelling adults. Participants' dentists were asked to complete a questionnaire about their practice characteristics. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: In-person interviews and clinical examinations were conducted at baseline, 24, and 48 months, with 6-monthly telephone interviews in between. A single multivariate (four radiographic service outcomes) multivariable (multiple explanatory covariates) logistic regression was used to model service receipts. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: These practice characteristics were significantly associated with patient-specific receipt of radiographic services: number of different practices attended during follow-up; dentist's rating of how busy the practice was; typical waiting time for a new patient examination; practice size; percentage of patients that the dentist reported as interested in details about the condition of their mouths; percentage of African American patients in the practice; percentage of patients in the practice who do not have dental insurance; and dentist's agreement with a statement regarding whether patients should be dismissed from the practice. Effects had differential magnitudes and directions of effect, depending upon radiograph type. CONCLUSIONS: Practice characteristics were significantly associated with patient-specific receipt of services. These effects were independent of patient-specific disease level and patient-specific sociodemographic characteristics, suggesting that practitioners do influence receipt of these diagnostic services. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that practitioners act in response to a mix of patients' interests, economic self-interests, and their own treatment preferences.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The relationship between sociodemographic factors and oral health-related quality of life in dentate and edentulous community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the associations between sociodemographic factors and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in dentate and edentulous community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using a 54-item OHRQoL questionnaire. SETTING: Five counties in central Alabama: Jefferson and Tuscaloosa (urban), and Hale, Bibb, and Pickens (rural). PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred eighty-eight participants (Dental Study subjects) aged 65 and older were recruited from participants in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging, a longitudinal study of mobility in older African Americans and non-Hispanic whites. MEASUREMENTS: Dental Study subjects were queried on their OHRQoL and sociodemographic status and classified into two categories: dentate and edentulous. Bivariate analyses were used to quantify associations between sociodemographic variables and OHRQoL after excluding participants with severe depression. Variables included age, sex, race, marital status, veteran status, residence, income, education, and transportation difficulties. RESULTS: Dentate and edentulous subjects had similar OHRQoL across age, sex, marital status, veteran status, and residence. Analyses suggested a strong association between OHRQoL and race, education, income, and transportation difficulties in dentate subjects. Sociodemographic factors were less strongly associated with OHRQoL in edentulous participants. CONCLUSION: OHRQoL decrements were prevalent in dentate and edentulous subjects. Of dentate persons, African Americans and those with a 6th-grade education or less, with income less than 16,000 dollars/year, and with transportation difficulties were more likely to have decrements in OHRQoL. In edentulous persons, these associations were not statistically significant or were weaker. These findings suggest differential associations between sociodemographic factors and OHRQoL when stratified according to dentate status.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2006

Dental attitudes: proximal basis for oral health disparities in adults.

OBJECTIVES: Behavioral science postulates that underlying characteristics of populations, rather than sociodemographic groupings, are more proximal causes of oral health disparities through differing oral health behaviors. To our knowledge this is the first report in the literature that examines longitudinal correlates of oral health and dental care using groups of persons holding similar attitudes and beliefs. METHODS: The subjects were 873 participants in the Florida Dental Care Study, a longitudinal study of oral health among dentate adults. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified four groups with similar dental attitudes that were labeled 'favorable attitudes about dental care', 'frustrated believers in dental care', 'negative attitudes and cost concerns', 'pessimistic about personal and professional oral care'. RESULTS: The attitudinal groups cut across race, sex, and age with race and educational status the best discriminators among sociodemographic and economic variables. The negative attitude group reported the least preventive care and the largest oral health decrements on clinical examination at baseline and 24 months. The group with favorable attitudes about dental care reported the highest number of preventive and restorative visits and the lowest point-prevalence of toothache pain, temperature sensitivity, and painful gums. The frustrated believers have access to dental care equivalent to the favorable attitude group, but may delay seeking dental care until oral disease becomes more severe, based on their pattern of preventive, restorative, and dental extraction visits. Additional group differences on oral health and dental care are reported. CONCLUSION: This study takes a novel approach to examining oral healthy disparities. Differences in oral health behaviors support the validity of the groups.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Root canal treatment in a population-based adult sample: differences in patient factors and types of teeth treated between endodontists and general dentists.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify in a population-based study the differences between general dentists and endodontists with regard to types of teeth treated, fees, and patient characteristics. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: The "Florida Dental Care Study" was a prospective cohort study using a representative baseline sample of 873 dentate adults. In-person interviews and clinical examinations were conducted at baseline, 24 months, and 48 months, with 6-monthly telephone interviews between those times. Dental record information was abstracted afterward. RESULTS: A total of 100 root canals were performed in participants during the study period. While generalists performed the majority of endodontic procedures in all teeth, the percentage of molars treated by endodontists was significantly higher than the percentage of anterior teeth and bicuspids treated by endodontists. Data on fees were available in 85 of the cases. The trend was for endodontists fees to be higher, but the difference in fees was statistically significant only for molars. There were no statistically significant differences between generalist and specialist patients with regard to income, fear of pain, and frustration from previous dental care. However, a significantly higher percentage of patients treated by endodontists had dental insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of teeth ultimately treated in this representative sample of a dentate population was small, results do suggest that endodontists' fees were higher, they performed a higher percentage of molar root canals, and their patients were more likely to have dental insurance, as compared to general dentists who did root canals.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

PubMed2005

Effectiveness of dental services in facilitating recovery from oral disadvantage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of dental health care services in facilitating recovery from quality of life decrements in symptom-specific subgroups with the most prevalent chronic infectious diseases (periodontal disease and dental caries), and a 'stained teeth' subgroup. METHODS: Data were taken from the prospective longitudinal Florida Dental Care Study of 873 individuals 45+ years old. Logistic regression modeling quantified associations between recovery from oral health-related quality of life decrements ('recovery') and dental services. RESULTS: Adjusting for age, race, gender, income, approach to dental care, and signs/symptoms, any dental visit (odds ratio, OR: 4.0; 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.3, 6.9), corrective treatment (OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.6, 8.7), denture visit (OR:4.8; 95% CI: 1.1, 21.9), or extraction (OR: 6.2; 95% CI: 2.2, 17.4) were positively associated with recovery. Upon conditioning the analyses on specific symptoms, point estimates increased substantially for most service types, and dental cleaning was associated with recovery for the stained teeth subgroup (OR: 10.9; 95% CI: 1.2, 99.4). CONCLUSION: Dental care was highly effective in treating quality of life decrements. Treatment effectiveness increased substantially when analyses were restricted to symptom-specific subgroups similar to selection criteria of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Restricted cohort analyses can be applied to many other health outcomes for which RCTs are not feasible or ethical.

Cohort Studies↗

PubMed2005

Research in general dental practice.

Spurred by an initiative by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in the USA, this article presents the need for a change in clinical dental research towards practice-based research. It outlines the shortcomings of past and present-day research in dentistry, with emphasis on the lack of clinical relevance of much of the research performed. The slow transfer of sound research findings to clinical practice is also a major problem. The article reviews some problems related to restorative dentistry and how they have adversely affected general dental practice. Practice-based research places emphasis on the problems experienced by clinicians in the routine care of patients. Clinicians should be linked together in research networks. The problems they face in dental practice and the clinical experience they have will form the basis for studies by the network. Experienced clinical researchers will provide guidance and statistical support for the studies initiated by the clinicians.

Dental Care↗

PubMed2005

Childhood dental history and adult dental attitudes and beliefs.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between childhood dental visits and attitudes and beliefs about dental care, and oral health as measured during adulthood. METHODS: The data were taken from the Florida Dental Care Study (FDCS), a prospective longitudinal study of oral health and dental care, among 683 adults 45 years of age and older who answered questions about early dental history at the 54-month follow-up interview. RESULTS: Fifty-nine per cent (n = 400) reported having had a dental visit before 18 years of age. Of those with a childhood visit, 72% reported that the first dental visit was a negative experience. Having a childhood dental visit was associated with several positive attitudes and beliefs about dental care. In addition, having early experiences with a dentist was associated with preventive and restorative dental visits and several objective and subjective measures of oral health. Having a negative childhood experience was associated with only one of the adult dental attitude and beliefs subscales, and none of the oral health behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the socialisation associated with early dental visits may occur even though the experience may have been painful or frightening. Although this study design precluded direct inference about causation, these findings do support the utility of further investigations into possible causative linkages between childhood dental experiences and adult attitudinal and dental health outcomes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Forty-eight-month periodontal attachment loss incidence in a population-based cohort study: role of baseline status, incident tooth loss, and specific behavioral factors.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to: 1) test hypotheses that behavioral factors, baseline clinical status, and incident tooth loss are significantly associated with attachment loss incidence (ALI) and 2) quantify the effect of incident tooth loss on conclusions made about ALI. METHODS: The Florida Dental Care Study was a prospective study of persons > or =45 years old. In-person interviews and examinations were conducted at baseline and 48 months, with telephone interviews in between. RESULTS: Of 560 persons with baseline and 48-month examinations, 22% of persons and 1.8% of teeth had ALI. This was highest among persons with no dental visit during follow-up (person-level incidence of 46%; 5.0% tooth-level incidence). Statistically significant covariates in a multivariable regression of ALI were: losing a tooth due to periodontal reasons after baseline, but before the 48-month examination; not receiving a dental cleaning; and baseline factors (worst attachment level of > or =7 mm, not flossing, a molar tooth, current smoker). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial percentage of persons experienced ALI. Baseline attachment level and behavioral factors were significantly associated with ALI. Persons with incident tooth loss were also at increased risk for ALI, and teeth lost during follow-up had worse baseline attachment level. Had these teeth not been lost before the final examination, the ALI estimate could only have been higher. These findings demonstrate that those at greatest risk for ALI are least likely to enter the dental care system, and among those who do, one health outcome (tooth loss) can affect conclusions made about the incidence of another (ALI).

Cohort Studies↗

PubMed2005

Racial and socioeconomic disparities in health from population-based research to practice-based research: the example of oral health.

Oral health serves as an excellent model for understanding social disparities in health. Associations among race, socioeconomic status, oral health, and dental care are strong. Multiple points along the dental care process allow investigation of disparities and mechanisms; and there are multiple types of treatment services (ranging from those that all patients and clinicians would likely agree on, to multiple treatment options, to discretionary treatments). Florida Dental Care Study (FDCS) data are used to provide examples of these concepts. Without regard to whether the dental care system was ultimately entered, the FDCS found substantive social differences in 1) incidence of need; 2) responsiveness to this need; and 3) propensity to seek preventive services. Once the dental care system had been accessed, substantive social differences were still evident with regard to 1) clinical condition; 2) awareness of treatment options; and 3) treatment discussions and recommendations. Once differences in clinical condition were taken into account, and once analysis was limited to persons who had entered the dental care system, social differences in receipt of care were still evident. Findings suggested that although dental care was effective at treating and preventing certain oral conditions, social differences in treatment effectiveness were evident.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

A SAS macro for the analysis of multivariate longitudinal binary outcomes.

Multiple binary outcomes occur quite frequently in oral health research, as well as other areas of health care research. When there is interest in comparing whether covariates influence one outcome more than another, statistical methods that adjust for the correlation that may exist between outcomes are warranted. Available software is limited to the extent that some pre-processing of the data is required. The main objective of this paper is to describe a SAS macro that can be used to estimate separate covariate effects on multiple, correlated binary outcomes. We demonstrate the utility of the macro by applying it to fit a trivariate logistic regression model using GEE where the three correlated longitudinal outcomes of interest include whether a subject had a problem-oriented visit, a dental cleaning, or a routine check-up, or some combination thereof. All three outcomes were measured at four 6-monthly intervals (0-24 months). Estimates from the trivariate logistic regression model are compared to results obtained by fitting three separate binary longitudinal models using GEE for each oral health outcome. The odds of having a problem-oriented visit were greater for males compared to females as estimated from the multivariate model (P = 0.0407), but the odds were not significant in the univariate model (P = 0.0641). The multivariate model also aided in confirming expected results that consistent regular attenders (compared to consistent problem-oriented attenders) had greater odds of having received dental cleaning and check-ups relative to having problem-oriented visits (chi2 = 33.47, P < 0.01), and that those with broken teeth or broken filling (compared to those without) are at greater odds of having a problem-oriented visit relative to having dental cleaning or checkups (chi2 = 34.12, P < 0.01 and chi2 = 17.11, P < 0.01).

Dental Care↗

PubMed2004

A cohort study found racial differences in dental insurance, utilization, and the effect of care on quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To describe racial differences in receipt of dental services and dental insurance; and to determine the effectiveness of specific dental services in facilitating recovery in symptom-specific and race-specific subgroups. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Using a restricted cohort analytic method, Florida Dental Care Study prospective cohort data were used to quantify associations between dental service use and the quality of life measure, "recovery" from oral disadvantage due to functional limitation. RESULTS: Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) were more likely to have a dental visit [odds ratio (OR); 95% confidence interval: 3.5; 2.2-5.3], corrective treatment (OR=2.1; 1.3-3.3), caps (OR=28.8; 6.6-126.4), and dental insurance coverage for caps (OR=2.9; 1.4-5.9). After adjusting for other covariates: (1) among NHW with severe gum disease, those receiving extractions were more likely to recover (OR=7.8; 1.0-59.1), but those receiving caps were less likely to recover (OR=0.1; 0.01-0.6); (2) among Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) with a sensitive tooth, those receiving corrective treatment (OR=3.2; 1.2-8.8) or extractions (OR=3.8; 1.3-11.2) were more likely to recover; (3) among NHB with tooth disease, those receiving corrective treatment (OR=2.3; 1.0-5.0) and extractions (OR=2.8; 1.2-6.5) were more likely to recover. CONCLUSION: There were racial differences in dental insurance, in the receipt of dental services and in the effectiveness of dental services in improving oral health-related quality of life.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2004

Smoking and smokeless tobacco: increased risk for oral pain.

UNLABELLED: Tobacco has been linked with several pain conditions that include musculoskeletal pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. This study documented associations between smoking and smokeless tobacco use and measures of orofacial pain and oral pain impacts (activity reduction and trouble with sleep) assessed during a 48-month time period. These data were collected as part of the Florida Dental Care Study, a longitudinal study of oral health among 873 adults aged 45 years and older at baseline. Twenty-five percent of the study participants were current users of some form of tobacco, and 34% were former users. Separate models were tested for smoking and smokeless tobacco. Current tobacco users were at increased risk of experiencing a range of painful oral symptoms. We also found that behavioral impacts associated with oral pain are sensitive to differences in tobacco use status. Our data also support the supposition that once tobacco cessation occurs, the risk for pain associated with oral disease decreases significantly. No differences were found between former users and those never having used tobacco across any of the pain measures. Strengths of the current study include the longitudinal methodology, assessment of different pain symptoms with potentially differing etiology, and that several markers of tobacco use were used (prevalence, consumption, and duration). PERSPECTIVE: This study considers the harmful effects of tobacco use on oral health. Smokers were at significantly increased risk for oral pain and related limitation of daily activities. The data also suggest that the risk for oral pain associated with tobacco use decreases significantly if tobacco cessation occurs.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Oral health attitudes and communication with laypersons about orofacial pain among middle-aged and older adults.

Communication patterns with persons outside the health care system during a pain episode are poorly understood, yet can have a significant influence on patient behavior. This study examined associations between attitudes and beliefs about oral disease and dental care and talking about orofacial pain with laypersons and health care professionals. The subjects were 724 participants in the Florida Dental Care Study, a longitudinal study of oral health among community-dwelling adults. This study used a prospective design with data collected at baseline and the 42-month follow-up using a standardized interview format. Persons with negative attitudes and beliefs were more likely to have talked to a layperson about pain and less likely to have talked to a health care provider. In addition, the attitude that most consistently differentiated between respondents who had communicated only with a layperson from those who had talked to a health care provider was quality of recent visits, a variable representing more of the interpersonal aspects of a health care visit than the eventual outcomes from the treatment received. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that lay consultation during a pain episode may substitute for formal care for persons with less positive views of the health care system. Intensity ratings and temporal characteristics of pain were also important determinants of these pain-related communication patterns. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the communication between persons with pain and non-health care professionals, and how these attitudes and communication preferences relate to the management of pain.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Patient characteristics associated with receipt of dental radiographic procedures during a 48-month population-based study of dentate adults.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to test hypotheses that patient characteristics are associated with receipt of specific types of radiographic procedures. STUDY DESIGN: The Florida Dental Care Study was a prospective cohort study of dentate adults. RESULTS: From 19% to 59% of participants received a full-mouth series, panoramic, bitewing, or periapical radiograph(s), depending on procedure type. Receipt varied with reason(s) for dental visit(s), baseline clinical condition, race, approach to care (problem-oriented or regular dental attender), and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the distinction between what dentists hypothetically would prescribe, compared to what is actually received, receipt that results from the interaction between dentist recommendations and what patients will accept and pay for. Blacks and lower-income persons received dental radiograph types that were consistent with less comprehensive dental treatment, even with entry into the dental care system, reason(s) for incident dental visit(s), baseline clinical status, and regular versus problem-oriented attendance taken into account.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Chronic oral disadvantage, a measure of long-term decrements in oral health-related quality of life.

UNLABELLED: Few studies have investigated the relation between oral health-related quality of life (HRQL) and key demographic, socioeconomic, and oral health decrements. METHODS: Data were taken from 873 participants from the Florida Dental Care Study. Chronic oral disadvantage was defined from incident oral disadvantage, a measure of oral HRQL, reported for a minimum of two consecutive 6-month intervals. Patterns of chronic oral disadvantage over the 24-month period were described. Associations between the dependent variable, chronic oral disadvantage, and demographic variables, socioeconomic variables, oral health decrements, and dental services were evaluated. RESULTS: During 24 months of follow-up, 30% of subjects reported chronic oral disadvantage. Chronic oral disadvantage was significantly associated with approach to dental care, area of residence, situation if faced with an unexpected dollars 500 dental bill, teeth that are stained or look bad, cavities, sore or infected gums, loose tooth or cap, toothache or abscess, dental sensitivity, and chewing difficulty. A recent dental visit was associated with reduced progression to chronic oral disadvantage. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of subjects avoided certain daily activities due to oral health decrements for longer than 6 months. Recent dental visits were significantly associated with limitation of long-term progression of oral disadvantage.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Root canal treatment in a population-based adult sample: status of teeth after endodontic treatment.

The purpose of this study was to quantify treatment outcomes of endodontically treated teeth, in a representative, population-based adult sample. The "Florida Dental Care Study" was a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study of 873 subjects who had at least one tooth at baseline and who were 45 yr or older. An in-person interview and clinical examination were conducted at baseline, 24 months, and 48 months after baseline, with 6-monthly telephone interviews between those times. Dental record information was abstracted afterward. Seventy-five teeth had conventional root-canal therapy (RCT) performed and met the inclusion criteria of 1-yr of follow-up or extraction. The mean duration of follow-up after RCT was 24.8 months. The mean (SD) attachment loss (AL) on teeth receiving RCT was only 3.3 (1.4) mm. Permanent restorations were placed in 79% of teeth a mean of 4.4 months after the RCT. However, 12% of teeth did not have any restorative treatment after RCT. After RCT had been completed, 81% of teeth were retained and 19% were ultimately extracted. Taken as a whole, this community-based study of a representative sample of adults suggests a higher failure rate than reported from studies in highly controlled environments or insured populations. It also suggests that the length of time to initial restoration of RCT-treated teeth is less than optimal. RCT was almost never performed on teeth with advanced periodontal attachment loss.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Incidence of tooth loss and prosthodontic dental care: effect on chewing difficulty onset, a component of oral health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify incidence of tooth loss, prosthodontic dental restoration, and chewing difficulty onset and the effect of tooth loss and prosthodontic restoration on chewing difficulty onset. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study of oral health and related behaviors with in-person interviews and clinical examinations conducted at baseline and 24 months. Telephone interviews were conducted every 6 months between these sessions. SETTING: A community-based sample of four counties in north Florida. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred seventy-three persons who had at least one tooth and were aged 45 and older at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Persons were queried regarding onset of chewing difficulty, an important component of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The chewing index of Leake, with minor revision, was the primary outcome of interest. Tooth loss was measured using direct clinical examination. Dental care use was reported during each interview. RESULTS: Approximately 22% of participants reported tooth loss during follow-up. Fixed prosthodontics (crowns and bridges) was the most common form of new prosthodontic treatment. People who reported tooth loss were 2.7 times more likely to report chewing difficulty onset than people without tooth loss (P<.001). Having fewer occluding pairs of teeth at baseline was significantly associated with an increased probability of chewing difficulty onset. People who received removable prosthodontic treatment were much less likely to report chewing difficulty onset than people who did not (P<.01). CONCLUSION: Incident tooth loss and removable prosthodontic restoration strongly predicted chewing difficulty, an important component of OHRQoL.

Aged↗