Abstract

Data from the Rand Health Insurance Experiment (HIE) are used in exploratory analyses to examine the associations of self-reported dental health with general health measures. Responses of 1658 dentulous participants 18-61 yr of age are examined. Patterns of association among and between items of the physical, mental, social, and general health indices and a three-item measure of self-reported dental health are tested using principal component analyses. Findings suggest that dental health represents a separate dimension of health that is not fully accounted for by other health measures. However, while dental health may be considered an independent health construct, the dental health index was weakly but statistically significantly associated with the general health perceptions index and, to a lesser extent, to the mental health index and the two physical health indices. Improved self-reported measures of dental health status, studied in association with other general health measures, will allow us to better define oral health, and patients' perceptions of oral health, particularly in relation to other general health perceptions. In addition, a valid and reliable multidimensional oral health measure would be valuable as a potential cost-effective method of epidemiologic data collection, as well as a tool for evaluating the effectiveness of oral health interventions, and for providing data for dental health policy making and planning.