Aging
Assessing oral health status and disparities among LGBTQ+ older adults in the United States Amanda J Llaneza* Amanda Llaneza Llaneza Llaneza Department of Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Background: Adults 65+ are the fastest growing demographic in the US, and experience dental health disparities. This may be exacerbated by the intersection of older age and LGBTQ+ identity that requires further attention to increase quality of life.
Objective: To analyze the relationship between older adult sexual and gender minority identity and oral health status nationwide, utilizing the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Methods: This analysis investigated sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTQ+ Identity versus Cis/Heterosexual Identity) and oral health among adults 65+ years. Outcomes of interest were tooth removal and time of most recent dental visit. Frequencies, percentages, and weighted chi-square statistics were estimated. Weighted logistic regression was conducted to estimate ORs and 95% CIs, controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, insurance status, general health, depression, and diabetes.
Results: 70,429 older adults were included, where 2,333 (3.1%) self-identified as LGBTQ+. Most were females (52%), non-Hispanic White (85%), with Medicare or similar insurance (84%). About 65% of older adults experienced tooth loss, and 69% visited a dentist in the past year. No statistically significant differences were found between older adults who experienced tooth loss by LGBTQ+ identity vs. cis/heterosexual identity. There was a significant association between LGBTQ+ identity and no dental visit in the past year (p < 0.001). Unadjusted OR showed a 37% higher odds of no dental visit in the past year among those with a LGBTQ+ identity compared to those with a cis/heterosexual identity (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.14-1.64, p=0.001). After adjustment for covariates, there was a 12% higher odds of no dental visit in the past year among those with an LGBTQ+ identity compared to those with a cis/heterosexual identity, though not statistically significant (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.92-1.35, p=0.25).
Conclusions: Gender identity and sexual orientation is a significant factor in managing dental health care among older adults. Consideration of patients’ demographics is important in tailoring dental healthcare visits for older adults.