title: Prevalence and predictors of untreated caries and oral pain among Special Olympic athletes.
abstract: The authors assessed the prevalence and predictors of untreated caries and oral pain among Special Olympic athletes. The study population consisted of a convenience sample of 9,620 athletes who were participating in the 2001 Special Olympics events held at 40 sites in the United States, and who consented to a standardized oral health screening. The prevalence of oral pain and untreated caries was 13.5% and 30.4%, respectively. Statistically significant independent associations (adjusted odds ratios [OR], p < or = 0.05) between untreated caries and oral pain (OR = 1.50), gingivitis (OR = 1.92), injury (OR = 1.28), missing teeth (OR = 1.79), and home care (frequency of cleaning their teeth once or less per week compared with once or more per day OR = 2.13) were found. In another model, we found statistically significant independent associations between oral pain and untreated caries (OR = 1.58), gender (OR = 1.28), gingivitis (OR = 1.30), and home care (frequency of cleaning their teeth once or less per week compared to once or more per day OR = 4.60). Substantial levels of untreated caries and oral pain were prevalent and related to poor oral hygiene and poor oral health. These findings were discouraging given that the study participants represented a generally well-supported, high-functioning stratum of persons with mental retardation in the United States.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Care Delivery, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, 666 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 20201, USA. BCR001@dental.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Britt C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chenette
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Macek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D013177:Sports; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology