Oral Health Status and Utilization of Dental Services Among Adults With Disability Compared to Those Without Disabilities in Nevada, United States.

BACKGROUND

This study examines disability-related disparities in tooth loss and dental visits, and Medicaid dental service utilization across Nevada counties in 2022.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis of the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to obtain a representative sample of adults in Nevada (n = 3188). Weighted multivariable generalized linear models examined associations. Separately, descriptive analysis of the 2022 Nevada Medicaid claims assessed dental visits among adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD), and permanent tooth extraction, disaggregated by county of treatment.

RESULTS

One-third of adults (33.1%) reported at least one disability. Adults with one disability (adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR]: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.03-1.36) or 2+ disabilities (aPR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.20-1.65) had a higher prevalence of permanent tooth loss compared to individuals without disabilities. There was no significant difference in dental service utilization (past-year dental visit) by disability status. A total of 7865 Medicaid enrollees had an ID/DD diagnosis (0.85% of Medicaid enrollment), of which 3% had a dental visit, 2.3% had a tooth extraction, of which 87% were recorded in Clark county.

CONCLUSION

Adults with disabilities in Nevada have higher prevalence of permanent tooth loss, despite no significant differences in service utilization compared to those without disabilities.