PSYCHOSOCIAL INFLUENCES ON ORAL HEALTH AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN THE U.S.: DATA RESOURCES AND CHALLENGES

Disparities in oral health are well documented. Most studies use large cross-sectional health surveys, and document differentials in outcomes such as frequency of dentist visits, edentulism, and untreated tooth decay. However, important questions remain under-explored such as the impact of psychosocial factors shaping oral health treatment, prevention, and quality of life as individuals age. We provide an overview of large longitudinal data sets in the United States that are not widely used for studying oral health, yet have rich information on the family, psychological, and economic factors that enhance or impede oral health. We provide examples of the rich data available in studies like the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) and Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), and recommend new data collection and analysis projects informed by the complementary knowledge and skills that social scientists and oral health practitioners bring to the study of later-life oral health.