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Luisa N. Borrell, DDS, PhD, Brian A. Burt, BDS, PhD, Harold W. Neighbors, PhD and George W. Taylor, DMD, DrPH.

Luisa N. Borrell is with the Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY. Brian A. Burt is with the Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Harold W. Neighbors is with the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan. George W. Taylor is with the School of Dentistry, University of Michigan.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Luisa N. Borrell, Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032 (e-mail: lnb2{at}columbia.edu).

ABSTRACT

Objectives. We assessed the prevalences of periodontitis by education and income levels among US adults with data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Methods. The study was limited to non-Hispanic Blacks, Mexican Americans, and non-Hispanic Whites 50 years of age or older with a complete periodontal assessment during the dental examination.

Results. Blacks with higher education and income levels had a significantly higher prevalence of periodontitis than their White and Mexican-American counterparts. The relationship between income level and periodontitis was modified by race/ethnicity. High-income Blacks exhibited a higher prevalence of periodontitis than did low-income Blacks and high-income Whites.

Conclusions. Our findings call attention to the importance of recognizing socioeconomic status–related health differences across racial/ethnic groups within the social, political, and historical context.