Smoking and DMFT Scores in Nevada Adolescent Females

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of smoking tobacco on DMFT scores in adolescent females participating in the Nevada statewide Crackdown on Cancer program. Methods: This cross-sectional cohort study included 3325 middle and high school aged (13-18 years) female subjects attending public schools during one academic year. Trained and calibrated examiners determined Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) scores and surveyed past and current smoking behaviors. Subjects were identified as current or past smokers and non-smokers and were categorized based on DMFT scores [0 DMFT (none), 1-2 DMFT (mild), 3-6 DMFT (moderate) and 7+ DMFT (severe)]. Differences were determined using a Kruskal-Wallis H test due to the nonparametric nature of the data. Results: Of the nonsmoking female cohort 60.6% presented with none to mild DMFT scores. Conversely, of the smoking cohort 49.0% presented with moderate to severe DMFT scores. Thus, female teenagers in Nevada who smoke had higher DMFT scores than their non-smoking counterparts (Chi Square = 17.357, p<0.001). Conclusion: These results indicate a necessity for oral health education addressing dental complications associated with female teenage tobacco smoking in Nevada. Oral healthcare providers must recognize relationships between smoking behaviors and dental pathology to ensure optimum oral health. Future investigations should focus on cariogenic properties of tobacco smoke, to further aid the dental professional in management and patient education. Data for this study were provided by the Fund for a Healthy Nevada Grant.