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December 17, 2024
Oral health is overall health. It’s more than a mantra, and nothing drives that fact home more than the research done in 2024 by CareQuest Institute. A few key findings from popular reports published this year show:
- Among children with a heart condition, about one in six have at least one sign of poor oral health.
- Tooth loss from gum disease or tooth decay is linked with a higher risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).
- Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) visited an emergency department for dental care in the prior year compared to adults without ADHD (13% vs. 2.3%).
In 2024, the Institute produced 24 publications — from white papers to visual reports. Based on what you, our readers, found most interesting, these are the top five publications of the year:
1. The Heart of the Matter: Links Between Cardiovascular Health and Oral Health (June)
In this visual report, researchers explore the relationship between heart disease and gum disease, which are both extremely common in the US, in both adults and children. Individuals with gum disease have two to three times the risk of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or a severe cardiovascular event.
The authors write that collaboration between dental and medical providers is critical to improving health outcomes. Dental professionals can screen for heart disease risk indicators, like high blood pressure, and teach patients about the links between oral and heart health. Medical professionals can encourage their patients to receive routine dental cleanings.
2. Poor Oral Health May Contribute to the Risk of Dementia (April)
Experts estimate that by 2040, the number of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in the US could reach 12 million. That means it’s critical to determine whether improvements in oral health may prevent or reduce the symptoms of this disease. This report highlights research showing that poor oral health is linked to being diagnosed with ADRD.
3. Attention to Detail: ADHD and Oral Health (October)
Findings from CareQuest Institute’s national State of Oral Health Equity in America (SOHEA) survey (see publication no. 4 below) suggest that adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — nearly 9 million individuals in the US — face more risks to their oral health than adults without ADHD.
In this report, researchers also note the importance of oral health professionals being aware of the potential oral health risks associated with ADHD and collaborating with their patients to help them achieve optimal oral health. For example, medications used to treat ADHD may produce side effects, which can lead to increased tooth decay, gingivitis, and other oral health issues.
4. State of Oral Health Equity in America (SOHEA) 2024 (September)
CareQuest Institute’s annual SOHEA is the largest nationally representative survey, surveying 9,000 adults in the US, focused on adults’ attitudes, experiences, and behaviors related to oral health. This infographic highlights the initial key findings from that survey, including how many adults reported seeing a dentist in the prior year and how many adults reported seeking dental care in an emergency department in the past year.
5. Oral and Mental Health During and After Pregnancy (October)
Medical-dental integration is essential to addressing whole-person health throughout the entire lifespan, and the pregnancy and postpartum periods are particularly important to the health of birthing parents and their newborns. This finding is just one of many in the CareQuest Institute report, based on the 2024 SOHEA survey, that explores the links between pregnancy, oral health, and mental health.
To explore other reports, white papers, poster presentations, and infographics on topics ranging from medical-dental integration to teledentistry, visit our Resource Library.