Research by Rutgers University has discovered a link between higher firearm violence in neighborhoods and lower dental visit rates, as well as increased total tooth loss, or edentulism. The study, featured in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, utilized data from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Violence Project. Data covered 20,332 census tracts in the 100 largest U.S. cities, spanning 2014 to 2022.
The research suggests various ways firearm violence affects dental care use and oral health. The persistent threat of violence can cause fear for personal safety and stress, which may deter individuals from visiting dental professionals. This stress can also lead to unhealthy habits like smoking or poor diet, which negatively affect oral health. Furthermore, economic and social disruptions from violence may reduce access to dental care services.
Previous research has largely overlooked how gun violence affects health care utilization. While in some contexts, higher violence may increase the need for healthcare, it can also inspire fear that deters seeking care, including dental services.
Daniel Semenza, director of research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and an associate professor at multiple Rutgers departments, highlights the broader implications of the findings. “Firearm violence doesn’t just shape public safety, it shapes health behaviors, including whether people feel safe enough to seek care,” Semenza stated, emphasizing violence as a public health crisis.
Data from surveyed neighborhoods show that, on average, 60% report receiving dental care annually, although this ranges widely depending on the community. Among adults aged 65 and older, around 15% report complete tooth loss each year. In terms of gun violence, areas averaged one shooting per year, but some neighborhoods recorded upwards of 100 incidents annually.
The study provides critical insights into how community violence impacts more than physical safety, creating barriers to essential healthcare services. Semenza adds, “Our study highlights how community violence extends beyond physical harm – it also creates barriers to essential health care like dental visits, which can have long-term consequences for oral health.”
