J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2026 Jul 27. doi: 10.1007/s40615-026-03126-4. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience persistent oral health disparities shaped by a range of social determinants of health (e.g., social, economic, and healthcare access factors). However, associations between demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and oral health outcomes among AI/AN populations remains understudied. The objective of this study was to conduct an exploratory analysis of demographic and socioeconomic factors and oral health outcomes among the Tribal Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (TBRFSS) population.
METHODS: Demographic and general health variables were assessed through the TBRFSS. Exposure variables included age, sex, income, employment status, and dentist office type. The nine independent, ordinal outcome variables included: difficulty with chewing, difficulty with speech, dry mouth, felt anxious, felt embarrassment, avoided smiling, reduced social activities, problems sleeping, and experienced pain. Multivariable ordinal logistic regressions were conducted to produce proportional ORs and 95% CIs.
RESULTS: A total of 379 responses from participants who identified as AI/AN were included for analysis. Amongst those 379 participants, most identified as female (62% n = 224), had healthcare coverage (92%, n = 343), were Oklahoma residents (78%, n = 295), and were employed full-time (60%, n = 220). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses revealed a statistically significant association between household income and oral health for seven out of the nine outcomes. The age group categories, income, and sex varied in association with the outcomes.
DISCUSSION: Understanding factors associated as it relates with oral health among AI/AN communities is an integral component of addressing health inequities.
PMID:42509519 | DOI:10.1007/s40615-026-03126-4
