# Age cohort changes in oral conditions and life transitions in the United States Health and Retirement Study

> **NIH NIH R03** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $165,088

## Abstract

Abstract
Longitudinal information of how changes in the lives of older adults (e.g., cognitive decline, retirement, medical
conditions and disability) affect their oral health and dental utilization is sparse. Yet, longitudinal data are needed
to assess causality. Baby Boomers and other generations have had different life circumstances that affect well-
being and aging. To plan for their oral health needs and preventive care, statistical models should account for
different birth cohorts. This secondary data analysis will use the comprehensive, longitudinal, nationally
representative US Health and Retirement Study (HRS). HRS cohorts were 51+ year olds and their spouses
who participated in the CORE biennial HRS waves from 2006-2018 (n≥15,960 per wave); Psychosocial
subsample A (n=12,631 in any wave), and in the 2008 (n=1,300) and 2018 HRS dental modules (n=612 in both
modules). Not all variables were collected biennially; 10-year and 12-year changes refer to 2008-2018 and
2006-2018. For population-based analysis, appropriate sampling weights will be applied in survey regression
analysis to reflect the US population; appropriate covariates, potential confounders, and cohort/data subsets
used. The specific aims are to: Aim 1) Determine 2018 oral health conditions and oral health disparities by
traditional socio-demographic and less studied psychosocial and employment factors by HRS defined birth
cohorts. Self-rated oral health, dentate status (with and without functional dentition, edentulous), and oral health-
related quality of life will be assessed. Aim 2a) Compare 2008-2018 trends in dental utilization by birth cohort
adjusting for oral health conditions; Aim 2b) Identify factors predictive of 10 or 12-year incidence of worsening
oral health conditions (incident edentulism, incident tooth loss, worsening self-rated oral health). Aim 3) Evaluate
within-subject changes and the bidirectional relationship with cognition (assessed via the Telephone Interviews
for Cognitive Status(TICS) collected biennially) and adults' oral health status. Cognitive impairment is common
in old age. It is important to understand the effects of decrements in oral health on cognition because of the large
societal impact on the affected individuals, family members and caregivers. Prior studies have shown different
relationships between oral health and cognition. Aim 3a. Determine if 2008 baseline oral health conditions are
predictive of 10-year cognitive decline. Aim 3b. Determine if baseline cognitive status and 10/12-year cognitive
decline are predictive of 10/12-year worsening oral health. Aim 4 focuses on the effects of longitudinal changes
in psychosocial factors such as life satisfaction and loneliness measured in the HRS. Aim 4a) Compare patterns
of dental utilization by psychosocial factors, birth cohorts and other factors. Aim 4b) Determine if baseline
psychosocial factors and 12-year changes are predictive of incident edentulism and 2018 oral health outcomes.
Aim...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10110847
- **Project number:** 1R03DE030161-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Jane A Weintraub
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $165,088
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-05-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10110847

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10110847, Age cohort changes in oral conditions and life transitions in the United States Health and Retirement Study (1R03DE030161-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10110847. Licensed CC0.

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