The Public Health major, with a focus in epidemiology, requires a capstone research project to be done in the field of public health and epidemiology. For my research project, I chose to study oral health and disease outcomes, specifically in the field of dentistry. Oral health dictates overall health in a variety of ways such as affecting mechanics of eating and digestion. Dental caries, commonly known as cavities, are the number one chronic disease in adolescents in the United States, so I chose to study a form of primary prevention, dental sealants, for this health outcome. My research question was: are dental sealants effective in preventing caries on teeth in individuals aged 3 and older? In order to study this question, I used secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study done by The National Center for Health Statistics. This annual survey randomly samples the U.S. population using surveys, at-home interviews, and lab examinations to observe health statistics. I specifically utilized the NHANES data on demographics and oral health to study the relationship between dental sealants and caries while adjusting for socio-demographic confounding variables. From the study, I found that when dental sealants are present the odds of having dental caries decreases. There is potential for further research in assessing what the most effective sealant materials are in preventing caries. Additionally, variables such as diet and dental hygiene should be adjusted for and included in the analysis, but these variables were not included in this study. This experience is relevant to my future as I will be entering dental school at The Ohio State University in the fall and beginning my research in the field of dentistry while receiving my D.D.S.
Author: Ellen Peters
Faculty Advisor: Saruna Ghimire, Sociology and Gerontology
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