Few studies have analyzed dental diseases in terms of their social impact. This study explored the feasibility of a social outcome measure, work absence. 2600 employed people in the Hartford (CT) area were interviewed by 'phone using Random Digit Dialing methodology. While dental disability did not affect the majority (75%) of those workers interviewed, 25% reported an episode of work loss in the past 12 months related to dental problems and dental treatment visits. Workers lost an average of 1.7 hours. The prevalence and magnitude of work loss were sensitive to several sociodemographic, access, and health-related factors.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Cohen, L. and Jago, J. (1976): Toward the Formulation of Sociodental Indicators , Int J Health Serv6:681-687.
2.
Davis, P. (1976): Compliance Structures and the Delivery of Health Care: The Case of Dentistry, Soc Sci and Med10:329-334.
3.
Fleiss, J.L. (1981): Statistical Methods for Rates and Proportions . New York: John Wiley and Sons , pp. 1-321.
4.
Gerson, L. and Slipper, J. (1973): Job Status and Expectations of Exemptions from Work Due to Illness, J Occup Med15 :633-640.
5.
Harvey, C. and Kelly, J. (1981): Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth among Persons 1-74 years, United States, 1971-74. Vital and Health Statistics: Series 11, No. 223, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
6.
Hays, W. (1963): Statistics. New York: Holt, Rhinehart and Winston, pp. 490-578.
7.
Jack, S.S. and Ries, P.W. (1981): Current Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
8.
King, J.E.; Parker, W.A.; and Drunner, D.G. (1982): Dental History of Soldiers on Sick Call, J Dent Res61:269.
9.
Luft, H.S. (1978): Society and Health; Economic Causes and Consequences . Cambridge: Ballinger, pp. 1-263.
10.
Miller, J. (1978): The Waste of Dental Pain, Int Dent J28:66-71.
11.
Nikias, M.; Bailit, H.; Beck, J.; Cohen, L.; Conrad, D.; Giddon, D.; Reisine, S.; and Sheiham, A. (1980): Progress Report of the Committee on Sociodental Indicators of the Behavioral Science Group of IADR to WHO/Oral Research Advisory Group.
12.
Reisine, S. (1981): Theoretical Considerations in Formulating Sociodental Indicators, Soc Sci and Med15(A):745-750.
13.
Reisine, S. (1984): Dental Disease and WorkLos s: A Review of the Literature, submitted to J Hlth Soc Beh.
14.
Rhode Island Health Services Research (1976 ): Rhode Island Health Habits Survey.
15.
Yelin, E.; Nevitt, M.; and Epstein, W. (1980): Toward an Epidemiology of Work Disability, MMFQ58:386-415.
