Dental Care Habits & Preventive Health in College Students
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Dental Checkups Linked to Broader Health Habits in College Students
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Regular dental visits correlate with increased preventative care, health insurance coverage, and positive self-assessment of overall health among undergraduates, according to a new study from George Mason University.
The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Wellbeing
A new study reveals a important link between maintaining regular dental exams and adopting broader preventative healthcare practices among college students. Undergraduates who prioritized dental checkups were also more likely to schedule eye and physical exams, possess health insurance, and report better overall health, suggesting a ripple effect of positive health behaviors.
“We can think of primary care as a kind of gateway to other preventive care and specialized services,” explains vanessa Alvarez, the study’s lead author and a second-year MPH epidemiology student at George Mason University’s College of Public Health. “When students maintain the habit of seeing one type of provider regularly, it seems to spill over into how they approach their health more broadly.”
Alvarez conducted the research in collaboration with Lawrence Cheskin, a renowned obesity researcher and professor of nutrition at George Mason University. Cheskin also serves as co-principal investigator of Mason: Health Starts Here, a landmark cohort study tracking students throughout their four years of undergraduate study. Mason: Health Starts Here provides a rich dataset for investigating long-term health trends in college students.
Study Findings: Data and Analysis
The dental care study analyzed data from 349 first-year students enrolled in the Mason: Health Starts Here cohort.The research revealed several key findings:
| Health Behavior | Students with Dental Exam Before College (%) | Students Without Dental Exam Before College (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Kept up with Dental exams | 78.3% | 43.5% |
| Scheduled Eye Exam | 68.8% | 48.7% |
| Scheduled Physical Exam | 64.1% | 44.8% |
| Had Health Insurance | 88.2% | 73.9% |
| Rated Overall Health as “Good” or “Excellent” | 76.7% | 58.7% |
As the table demonstrates, students who had a dental exam prior to college were substantially more likely to continue receiving dental care and to engage in other preventative health behaviors. This suggests that establishing a routine with one healthcare provider can positively influence overall health management. The data underscores the potential for dental professionals to play a role in promoting broader health awareness and preventative care.
Implications and Future Research
The study’s findings have important implications