title: Behavioral risk indicators of attachment loss in adult Floridians.
abstract: This study investigated behavioral and sociodemographic risk indicators of attachment loss (AL) at baseline in subjects of the Florida Dental Care Study: 873 subjects with at least 1 tooth, and who were 45+ years or older, participated for an in-person interview and dental examination; 761 subjects were probed for AL. Calibrated examiners used a modified NIDR protocol from the 1985-86 Survey of US Employed Adults and Seniors. Results were weighted to reflect actual population proportions. 92% of subjects had at least 1 site of 4+ mm AL, and 35% had at least 1 severe site (7+ mm AL). In a single multivariate regression, not having a recent dental check-up, not using dental floss, being a current smoker, and being diabetic were significantly associated with a higher probability of having 1 or more severe sites. Blacks were less likely than whites to be regular users of dental care, use dental floss, and be non-smokers. Similar findings were found for low income adults and rural residents. Risk groups (low income, blacks, rural residents) were more likely to present with modifiable risk indicators for AL, suggesting the need for targeted interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Dentistry, University of Florida, Tallahassee, USA.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ringelberg
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Legler
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Antonson
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Foerster
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Heft
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014504:Urban Health; D044465:White People