title: Media exposure and oral health outcomes among adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of media exposure on oral health outcomes among Jewish adults in Jerusalem, Israel, by means of a conceptual hierarchical model.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted using a stratified sample of 254 adults 35 to 44 years (mean age, 38.63 years) in Jerusalem, Israel. Media exposure was operationally categorized by type and frequency. Behavioral data included toothbrushing, dental attendance, oral hygiene aids use, plaque level, sugar consumption, and smoking. Clinical outcomes were assessed according to the decayed/missing/filled teeth (DMFT) index and the community periodontal index (CPI). Results were analyzed by chi-square test, independent test, one-way ANOVA, and linear and multiple logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 254 examinees consisted of 127 men and 127 mean (married couples). High type and high frequency of media exposure, as compared with other modes, revealed statistically significant higher caries experience (DMFT, 13.10), higher level of untreated decay (D, 1.67), and lower periodontal health (CPI [0], 0.39). A conceptual hierarchical regression model identified that the relationship described was mediated by sociodemographic determinants (education) and behavioral determinants (dental attendance and plaque level).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Media exposure should be observed by community health program planners and general practitioners to examine the type and frequency of the messages. They also need to react on time to balanced bad advertising and add a good message at the community. This pragmatic approach could lead to better use of the media and improve oral health behavior and outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel. aviz@hadassah.org.il
authors.forename: Avraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zini
authors.forename: Harold D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Sgan-Cohen
authors.forename: Yuval
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vered
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003146:Communications Media; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000453:epidemiology; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D019422:Dietary Sucrose