title: Predictors of oral health after spinal cord injury.
abstract: METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine predictors of oral health in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two people with SCI (> or =6 months, 44% cervical level) completed questionnaires and underwent oral examination. Socio-economic, injury-related and oral habits variables were used for predicting oral health score (OHS); Decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) score; and periodontal screen and recording index (PSR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most people with SCI were able to bring at least one hand to the mouth (82%) and brush teeth independently (65%). Regarding daily oral habits, 84% reported brushing teeth, 48% rinsing mouth, 14% flossing, 33% tobacco use and 13% mouthstick use. Only 32% had teeth cleaned within the past year. Oral examination revealed three decayed and eight missing teeth on average, with prominent periodontal disease (64%). Employment before SCI and more risky oral habits were significant predictors of worse OHS (P=0.005 and P=0.014, respectively) and PSR score (P=0.010 and P=0.035, respectively). Older age was the only predictor of worse DMFT score (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral health appears compromised in people with SCI. Identification of modifiable risk factors warrants examination whether intervention with focus on behavioral changes may improve oral health in this population.
authors.affiliation: Dental Hygiene Program, School of Health Related Professions, University of Mississippi, Jackson, MS, USA.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Stokic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D009909:Oral Health; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult