Trends in Dental Health Status among Mexican-American Adults (1982-1994)

Objective: We compared the dental health status of Mexican-American adults from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES, 1982-1984) to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES3, 1988-1994). Methods: Available public data files were used. Because HHANES and NHANES3 used differing disease measures, a correction factor (28/erupted teeth) was applied to adults in HHANES with more than 28 erupted teeth to adjust HHANES data. We divided the study population into 6 age groups: 18-24 years; 25-34 years; 35-44 years; 45-54 years; 55-64 years; and 65-74 years. For each age group we calculated the sex-standardized mean number of functional teeth (sound and filled teeth), sound teeth, percentage dentate, and mean untreated decayed teeth among dentate. We used SUDAAN 8.0 to account for the complex sampling design and unequal probability of selection. All reported differences from HHANES to NHANES3 are significant at the 5% level. Results: The mean number of decayed teeth among dentate adults did not change. Edentulism was 60% lower and sound teeth 38% higher for adults, aged 65 to 74 years. All age groups with the exception of 55 to 65-year-olds had more functional teeth (1.01 to 4.98 teeth). Conclusion: This report may be the first to suggest that dental health has improved among Mexican-Americans; adults, aged 65 to 74 years experienced the greatest gain.