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J L Leake

Publications and source records attributed to J L Leake.

64 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
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Income inequalities in oral health among older adults in four Ontario communities.

We used data from telephone interviews, personal interviews and clinical examinations to assess income inequalities in oral health among older adults living in four Ontario communities. Lower income groups had significantly higher rates of edentulism than upper income groups. In dentate subjects aged 50 to 64 years, significant associations were observed between income and 9 of 10 clinical, functional and subjective oral health indicators. Among those aged 65 years and over, associations were found for only 5 of these indicators. The data suggested that the association between income and clinical and functional measures of oral health was stronger among those aged 50 to 64 years, while the association between income and subjective indicators was stronger among those aged 65 years and over. No association was noted between income and oral health status among edentulous subjects. These observations are difficult to explain because of the cross-sectional nature of the study and the complexity of the processes which may lead to social inequalities in health. Nevertheless, the data do suggest the need for the targeting of oral health promotion programs and appropriate dental services at disadvantaged groups.

Age Factors↗
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The oral health status and treatment needs of adults aged 65+ living independently in Ottawa-Carleton.

We report the findings from a dental survey of a random sample of 299 senior citizens living in Ottawa-Carleton. Those examined were younger, less likely to have a regular dentist, and more likely to have oro-facial pain, difficulty chewing, and to perceive a need to visit a dentist compared with those responding to the enrollment phone interview. Among the 65% of seniors who were dentate, 37% had dental decay; men and seniors with low incomes had more decay (p less than 0.05). Periodontal disease was worse among older seniors, men and poor seniors (p less than 0.05). One third of all seniors reported recent oro-facial pain, 50% had difficulty chewing foods and 30% reported some social impact resulting from their oral health. The resources required to treat the prevalent disorders were considerable and differences between dentate and edentulous people were negligible. Senior citizens expressed attitudes which indicate that they value dental health and would like help to achieve it.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Results of the socio-dental survey of people aged 50 and older living in East York, Ontario.

We determined the oral health status and treatment needs of the current and future elderly in East York and tested four enrollment strategies for community-based surveys. We selected our sample from the Municipal Composite Report and obtained the data using a multi-item questionnaire and a clinical examination. The examination protocol was based on World Health Organization (WHO) methodology but was expanded to provide tooth surface specific information. Of those contacted by telephone and repeated mailings, 35% participated. The sample appeared representative of the community as determined by a follow-up mail survey of non-respondents. 76% of those examined were dentate and 71% had visited the dentist within the last two years. Nonetheless, 27% had chewing impairment, 15% had discomfort with their teeth and 15% needed care urgently. Treatment needs were highest for the 187 dentate. They required 504 extractions or restorations and 113 denture services. Periodontal care for calculus and pockets was needed by 86% of the dentate. This report shows an apparent contradiction of high dental treatment needs remaining in the context of reported high care-seeking rates.

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PubMedDate not supplied

The response rate problem in oral health surveys of older adults in Ontario.

We undertook two surveys of older adults in Ontario to estimate the proportion in need of dental treatment. Because we expected low response rates, these studies were designed to assess 1) the effect of response enhancement strategies on participation, and 2) the extent of bias in estimates of treatment needs resulting from less than acceptable response rates. Our response enhancement strategies did not improve response rates substantially. In both surveys, there were significant differences in the characteristics of responders and nonresponders. Nevertheless, there was little difference in crude estimates of the prevalence of treatment needs and adjusted estimates taking account of non-response bias. We conclude that, while high response rates should always be the aim, low response rates do not necessarily compromise the results of descriptive epidemiological studies.

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