Veteran Status and Oral Health Indicators in Older Men: An Analysis Using the 2016 and 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Abstract

Objectives: US veterans exhibit higher rates of oral disease than nonveterans, affecting their quality of life and systemic disease risk. Regular dental care is essential for preventing tooth loss, especially among older adults. The aim of this study was to assess the association between veteran status, dental visits, and tooth loss among older male Americans. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2016 and 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys in a national cross-sectional study. The study focused on males aged 65 years and older, using descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses to measure the association between veteran status and having a dental visit < 1 year ago, and the loss of ≥ 6 teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease. The analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, including age, race/ethnicity, and education level. Results: Veterans displayed a higher prevalence and increased odds of tooth loss compared to nonveterans after controlling for race and education. However, there was no difference in recent dental visits based on veteran status. The effect of dental visits on the odds of tooth loss indicated that veterans experienced a stronger protective effect of visits on tooth loss (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.31-0.37) than nonveterans (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.37-0.45). Conclusions: Our findings indicate a potential opportunity to reduce disparities in tooth loss among older men. Promoting dental care among veterans could mitigate the risk of tooth loss and its subsequent adverse effects on overall systemic and brain health in this population. Keywords: dental care; health inequities; longevity and healthy aging; older adults; oral health; tooth loss; veterans.