Use of Dental Health Services within the Past Year among Adults at Risk of Diabetes in the Alabama Black Belt

Objective: We evaluated the use of dental health services within the past year among adults at risk of diabetes in the Alabama Black Belt. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study was collected in 2005-2006 through the Flying Sparks project. In addition to descriptive statistics and univariate analysis (Chi-square), we used multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the association between dental care use and diabetic status. Results: 1355 individuals responded the survey (mean age 51 years). 67.9% were females and 89.5% African-Americans. 16.7% reported history of diabetes. Overall, 54.5% of individuals had visited a dentist within the past year. Adults with diabetes were less likely than those without diabetes to have seen a dentist (13.4% vs 86.6%, p < 0.01). Females were more likely to visit a dentist in the past year (adjusted OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.11 1.90) than males. African-Americans were less likely than whites to have seen a dentist (adjusted OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.43 0.97). Lower levels of education and household income were associated with a greater likelihood of not seeing a dentist in the previous year. After controlling for gender, health insurance, race, education, report of limited community health services, routine medical check-up within past year, and annual household income, individuals with diabetes were significantly less likely than those without diabetes to have seen a dentist within the preceding year (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.43 0.84). Conclusions: Individuals with history of diabetes in the Alabama Black Belt should be encouraged to have annual dental visits as part of a comprehensive diabetes care plan.