Association of Regular Periodontal Care on Tooth Loss in People with Disabilities: A Population-based Retrospective Cohort Study in South Korea (2002–2018)
Bo-Young Park, Hosung Shin, Han-A ChoAbstract
Introduction:
People with disabilities have limited access to preventive oral care and a high risk of tooth loss, but evidence on whether the benefit of regular periodontal treatment differs by disability type is limited. This study examined the association between regular periodontal treatment and tooth loss among people with disabilities in South Korea by disability type and severity.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study used National Health Insurance Service claims data (2002–2018). Five nonoverlapping cohorts (2003–2014, 2004–2015, 2005–2016, 2006–2017, and 2007–2018) were constructed, each with a 7-year appraisal period and 5-year follow-up. Individuals with continuous insurance eligibility for 12 years were included. Participants were 13–64-year-old people with disabilities who used dental services at least once; 388,829 were analyzed after excluding missing sociodemographic data. Regular periodontal treatment was defined as scaling and/or root planing at least once every 2 years. Generalized estimating equations with a Poisson distribution and log link were used.
Results:
The brain lesions and mental disabilities group had the lowest regular periodontal care rate (23.8%) and the highest mean number of tooth extractions (3.1 teeth/5 years). The interaction was significant for orthopedic impairment (IRR = 1.106,
Conclusion:
Regular periodontal care was associated with fewer tooth extractions, with the strongest association in people with orthopedic disabilities. Tailored policies should consider disability type, severity, and periodontal care status while promoting oral hygiene, access, and caregiver support.