Oral Disease Prevalence Among US-Mexico Border “Colonia” Residents

Objective: The association between caries experience and socio-economic status is well established. “Colonia” refers to an unincorporated settlement that may lack paved roads, basic water and sewer systems, and safe sanitary housing. The present study aims were to: 1) determine how oral disease prevalence and access to dental services in four US-Mexico Border “colonias” compare to each other and Laredo, Texas, 2) determine if insurance status affects dental care access and/or disease prevalence. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 672 patients attending a Mobile Dental Van Program in Webb County “colonias”. Demographics (ethnicity, age, gender, insurance coverage and “colonia” site) were recorded. Information regarding dental visits within past year, insurance status, presence of dental sealants, prevalence of untreated dental decay (caries), and presence of gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) were also extracted. Binomial tests compared prevalence between “colonias” and Laredo. Insurance status predictors were compared with untreated tooth decay and gum disease using chi square (χ2) distribution. Results: For 6 – 11 year olds, dental visits in the past year were statistically (p<0.002) lower for “colonias” (39%), than Laredo (58.5%). Caries prevalence was statistically (p<0.001) higher for “colonias” (56.6%), than Laredo (37.1%). Gum disease prevalence was statistically (p<0.001) higher with “colonias” (73%) than Laredo (21.4%). No significant differences noted for caries (χ2=1.73; p<0.188) and gum disease (χ2=0.0098; p<0.921) for insurance. For adults 36 – 64, dental visits in the past year were statistically (p<0.001) lower with “colonias” (22.4%), than Laredo (36.3%). Caries prevalence was statistically (p<0.001) higher for “colonias” (78.3%) than Laredo (54.0%). Gum disease prevalence was statistically (p<0.001) higher among “colonias” (91.3%) than Laredo (61.3%). No significant differences noted for caries (χ2=0.0010; p<0.975) and gum disease (χ2=0.0607; p<0.805) for insurance. Conclusion: “Colonia” residents have significantly higher prevalence of oral disease; insurance status appears to not be associated with outcome.