The oral health of homeless adolescents and young adults and determinants of oral health: preliminary findings.
A survey was administered to 55 homeless adolescents and young adults aged 14 to 28 years who presented for care at a community health center in Seattle, Washington in 2005. Forty-five valid surveys were analyzed. The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with self-reported oral health. The most common self-reported dental problem was sensitive teeth (52.6%), followed by discolored teeth (48.6%), toothache (38.5%), or a broken tooth (37.8%). Dental problems were associated with lower self-reported oral health, while non-high school graduates, mixed race youths, and methamphetamine users had significantly higher self-reported oral health. Among homeless youths, addressing dental problems with direct dental care may improve self-perceived oral health. The relationships between methamphetamine use and education level, on the one hand, and self-reported oral health, on the other, are complex and may be modified by age.
Chi
Donald
D
Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry, The University of Iowa, Iowa, USA. donald-chi@uiowa.edu
Milgrom
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D008694:Methamphetamine; D009909:Oral Health; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000453:epidemiology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D014098:Toothache / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D008694:Methamphetamine