124 - Association Between Perceived Food Desert Status and Oral Health Status

Purpose: The goal for this study was to determine if there is a relationship between a family's perceived food desert status and their child’s oral health status. 

Methods: Parents, guardians, and caretakers of children aged 6 months to 16 years old were given surveys at their child’s exam appointments at a community health clinic in San Diego, California. Surveys gathered information regarding patient demographics, perceived food desert status, and self-reported oral health status. 

Results: 121 surveys were completed; 108 surveys qualified for analysis. The participant was predominantly the child’s mother (77.78%), Hispanic (74.07%) and shopped at a grocery store chain (57.41%). The accompanying child had an average age of 9.22 years. There was a statistically significant relationship between the participant's food desert status and their child’s perceived oral health status (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: These study results suggest that there is a relationship between perceived food desert status and self-reported oral health status. Dentists treating pediatric patients with poor oral health status should become knowledgeable about the complexities of food deserts within their communities to provide contextual nutritional and dietary recommendations. 

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