UCL Discovery Stage
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery Stage

Socioeconomic Position and Oral Health in Chinese Older Adults: A Life Course Approach

Hong, J; Watt, RG; Tsakos, G; Heilmann, A; (2024) Socioeconomic Position and Oral Health in Chinese Older Adults: A Life Course Approach. JDR Clinical and Translational Research 10.1177/23800844241297533. (In press). Green open access

[thumbnail of Heilmann_Hong et al 2024 Manuscript_accepted version.pdf]
Preview
Text
Heilmann_Hong et al 2024 Manuscript_accepted version.pdf

Download (715kB) | Preview

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We investigated associations between socioeconomic position (SEP) across childhood, adulthood, and older age and number of teeth among Chinese older adults. METHODS: Data came from 15,136 participants aged 65 to 105 y in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2018 wave). The outcome was number of teeth. Pathways and sensitive period models were tested simultaneously via structural equation modeling. Ordinal logistic regression assessed the accumulation of risk and social mobility models. Differences were examined across 4 birth cohorts. RESULTS: Adult and older age SEP had direct effects on number of teeth in older age (adulthood, direct β = 0.182, P < 0.001; older age, direct β = 0.093, P = 0.005), supporting the sensitive period model. Childhood SEP had an indirect effect on number of teeth (indirect β = 0.130, P < 0.001) through adult and older age SEP, supporting the pathway/accumulation of risk and social mobility models. Effects of SEP on number of teeth were more pronounced in younger cohorts. Graded associations in the expected directions were found between the number of periods in which participants experienced disadvantaged SEP and number of teeth, as well as social mobility trajectories and number of teeth. CONCLUSION: Among Chinese older adults, the number of remaining teeth is subject to marked social inequalities. Our findings document the simultaneous applicability of life course models and a widening of oral health inequalities in China across generations. Interventions earlier in child and adult life are needed to address this problem and reduce oral health inequalities. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: The findings of this study suggest marked socioeconomic inequalities in oral health among Chinese older adults. These inequalities are generated throughout the life course and appear to have widened across cohorts. This study emphasizes that interventions are needed to address the social determinants of oral health at all life stages.

Type: Article
Title: Socioeconomic Position and Oral Health in Chinese Older Adults: A Life Course Approach
Location: United States
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1177/23800844241297533
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1177/23800844241297533
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: epidemiology, geriatric dentistry, life course perspective, social inequalities, structural equation modelling, tooth loss
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Epidemiology and Public Health
URI: https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10203294
Downloads since deposit
108Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item