Showing papers by "Wenche S. Borgnakke published in 2011"

Dental visits among adult Hispanics – BRFSS 1999 and 2006

Abstract: Objectives: This study examined and compared utilization of dental services by adult US Hispanics 18 years and older in the years 1999 and 2006. Methods: Dental utilization data collected by telephone interviews by the state-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed. Results: In 2006, the state mean and median prevalence of adult Hispanics with dental visits during the past year were 56.2 percent and 62.1 percent, respectively, and had not changed significantly since 1999. In 40 states, utilization was well below the national prevalence of 70.3 percent. Frequency of dental visits was significantly higher among females and those with higher income (>$50,000), higher education, nonsmokers, and persons having medical health insurance. Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest that barriers to utilization of dental services among Hispanic adults exist in most states and may contribute to existing oral health disparities. The magnitude of this problem may increase in the future with the expansion of the US Hispanic population.

Relationship of periodontal infection to diabetes: glycemic control, complications and occurrence

Abstract: This report provides an overview of the evidence that periodontal disease adversely affects glycemic control and contributes to the risk for developing diabetes complications and possibly diabetes itself. The major focus will be evidence derived from both epidemiological observational studies and investigations of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease are two common chronic diseases that have long been considered to be biologically linked. Diabetes is an important chronic disease globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the rate of increasing diabetes prevalence an epidemic. Two longitudinal observational studies provide evidence to support the effect of severe periodontitis on increased risk for poorer glycemic control. The treatment studies are a heterogeneous set of reports that include randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and studies that are not RCTs. Of the RCTs reported in the literature, several report a beneficial effect for periodontal therapy although some RCTs do not. Recent meta-analyses of the intervention studies provide supporting evidence that non-surgical periodontal therapy improves glycemic control. Poor glycemic control is a major determinant for the development of the chronic complications of diabetes. Emerging evidence from a limited number of observational studies suggests periodontal disease is associated with increased risk for diabetes complications, including cardiovascular disease, cardio-renal mortality, and renal disease. There is also evidence that periodontal infection may be a risk factor for the development of diabetes. Conclusion: The evidence supports periodontal infection having an adverse effect on glycemic control and may be a risk factor for the occurrence of diabetes and its complications. Further rigorously conducted randomized clinical trials are necessary to unequivocally establish that treating periodontal infections can contribute to glycemic control and to the reduction of the burden of diabetes complications. However, given the current evidence, it is prudent to consider treating periodontal infection in people with diabetes as an important component of their overall management plan for diabetes care.