Screening and Preventive Interventions for Oral Health in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Authors

Michael J. Barry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Wanda K. Nicholson, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Michael Silverstein, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
David Chelmow, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
Tumaini Rucker Coker, University of Washington, Seattle.
Esa M. Davis, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Katrina E. Donahue, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Carlos Roberto Jaén, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Li Li, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
Gbenga Ogedegbe, New York University, New York, New York.
Lori Pbert, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester.
Goutham Rao, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
John M. Ruiz, University of Arizona, Tucson.
James Stevermer, University of Missouri, Columbia.
Joel Tsevat, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Sandra Millon Underwood, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
John B. Wong, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

11-14-2023

Journal

JAMA

Volume

330

Issue

18

DOI

10.1001/jama.2023.21409

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Oral health is fundamental to health and well-being across the life span. Dental caries (cavities) and periodontal disease (gum disease) are common and often untreated oral health conditions that affect eating, speaking, learning, smiling, and employment potential. Untreated oral health conditions can lead to tooth loss, irreversible tooth damage, and other serious adverse health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate screening and preventive interventions for oral health conditions in adults. POPULATION: Asymptomatic adults 18 years or older. EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for oral health conditions (eg, dental caries or periodontal disease) performed by primary care clinicians in asymptomatic adults. The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of preventive interventions for oral health conditions (eg, dental caries or periodontal disease) performed by primary care clinicians in asymptomatic adults. RECOMMENDATIONS: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of routine screening performed by primary care clinicians for oral health conditions, including dental caries or periodontal-related disease, in adults. (I statement) The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of preventive interventions performed by primary care clinicians for oral health conditions, including dental caries or periodontal-related disease, in adults. (I statement).

APA Citation

Barry, Michael J.; Nicholson, Wanda K.; Silverstein, Michael; Chelmow, David; Coker, Tumaini Rucker; Davis, Esa M.; Donahue, Katrina E.; Jaén, Carlos Roberto; Li, Li; Ogedegbe, Gbenga; Pbert, Lori; Rao, Goutham; Ruiz, John M.; Stevermer, James; Tsevat, Joel; Underwood, Sandra Millon; and Wong, John B., "Screening and Preventive Interventions for Oral Health in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 3812.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/3812

Department

Prevention and Community Health