Associations Between Cardiovascular Disease and Utilization of Dental Preventive and Periodontic Services

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary artery disease, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke, remains a leading cause of global mortality, with approximately 20.5 million deaths in 2021. Despite advancements in medical science, CVD prevalence continues to rise, underscoring the need for preventive approaches and increased awareness. CVD is closely associated with oral diseases, and poor oral health is linked to worse cardiovascular outcomes. This study investigates the association between CVD and the utilization of dental preventive and periodontal services using data from the Dental Experience and Research Exchange (DERE) database, which aggregates clinical data from dental practices across the U.S. from 2014 to 2023. The primary objective is to identify differences in dental service utilization between individuals with and without CVD and explore how demographic factors such as age and sex influence these associations. The study employs a cross-sectional design, analyzing 117,646 dental visits from adults aged 21 to 89. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between self-reported CVD and dental service utilization, adjusting for covariates such as age, sex, race, marital status, diabetes, and geographic region. Results indicate that individuals with CVD were more likely to use preventive dental services (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01–1.24), particularly among females, older adults, and urban residents. However, no significant association was found between CVD and periodontal service utilization. Interaction analyses revealed that younger adults with CVD and those living in urban areas were more likely to use preventive services, while individuals with both CVD and diabetes were less likely to do so. These findings highlight the importance of integrating oral health into chronic disease management and addressing barriers to dental care access. Future research should explore causal relationships and identify factors influencing dental service utilization among high-risk populations to inform targeted interventions and improve health outcomes.