A report released December 10 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows West Virginia has the highest prevalence of tooth extractions and certain chronic diseases and risk factors, according to a story in the Charleston Daily Mail.
Researchers analyzed numerous chronic disease statistics from 2008 in the U.S., Guam, and Puerto Rico, as well as select counties or cities, and found that West Virginia had the highest rates of tooth extraction, diabetes, limited activity, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and requirement of special medical equipment.
Oral health status was measured by asking adults age 65 years and older how many permanent teeth they have had removed due to tooth decay or periodontal disease. In 2008, nearly 38% of West Virginians older than 65 had all of their natural teeth removed. The median for the study was about 18.5%, with Hawaii having the lowest number of people with all teeth removed (9.6%).
"Extraction of all natural teeth represents an end point influenced by the incidence of dental caries or periodontal disease earlier in life," the report noted. "Socioeconomic disparities play a substantial role in periodontal disease and teeth extraction."
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