Dental Health Readiness Among United States Military Service Members in the Millennium Cohort Study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Among U.S. military service members, dental health is one aspect of health assessed regularly and contributes to individual medical readiness for potential deployment. This study examined military characteristics, psychosocial factors, and health behaviors associated with dental readiness across all branches and components.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This cross-sectional study linked 2020-2021 baseline Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) survey data with the service member's most recent dental readiness classification (DRC) within 1 year of MCS survey completion (N = 43,894). DRC was based on a clinical assessment obtained from the Military Health System Data Repository Dental Readiness File. The DRC outcome was dichotomized as fully medically ready (FMR, including DRC 1 or 2) or not FMR (including DRC 3 or 4). Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression models were examined among the full sample as well as stratified by service component, guided by an adapted Behavioral Model for Health Service Utilization.
RESULTS
Overall, 5.0% of service members were not FMR, with notable differences by component (active duty [AD]: 4.7%, Reserve/National Guard [R/NG]: 8.8%). In the fully adjusted model in the full sample, service members were significantly (P < .05) more likely to not be FMR if they were in the R/NG (odds ratio [OR] = 3.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.95-4.00) compared with AD; junior (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.28-1.78) or senior enlisted (OR = 1.18, 95% CI =…
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