How far can oral diseases and disparities be controlled ?
Kaumudi J. Joshipura, BDS, ScD and Chester W. Douglass, DMD, PhD. Oral Health Policy & Epidemiology, Harvard University, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA MA02115, 617-432-1882, Kaumudi_Joshipura@hms.harvard.edu Epidemiologic surveys have frequently shown noticeably poorer oral health among minorities compared to Whites. We compare the oral health status across races among 29,684 male dentist participants in the Health Professionals Follow-Up study, to explore disparities in a group with among the highest oral health orientation and access. The objective is to assess the degree of oral disease and oral health disparity that could be eliminated in the general population if they were to receive similarly high levels of care. The population consists of 89.3% whites, 1.2% blacks, 1.8% Asians and 7.7% others, was evaluated by questionnaires. Periodontal measures have been validated; the validity of other measures is expected to be good among dentists. At bas
