Prior incarceration length and edentulism among formerly incarcerated older adults in the United States

Background: This study investigated the association between prior incarceration length and edentulism among US adults 55 years and older. Analyses explored indirect factors such as wealth, smoking status, mental health, and chronic health conditions that may explain this relationship. In addition, the study analyzed how associations between incarceration and edentulism vary by race and ethnicity.

Methods: The authors used data from the 2012-2014 Health and Retirement Study (unweighted N = 11,630; weighted N = 72,872,877) to assess the relationship between incarceration duration and edentulism through multivariable logistic regression. The Karlson-Holm-Breen method evaluated indirect effects, and multiplicative interaction terms examined variations by race and ethnicity.

Results: Net of control variables analyses showed a positive association between having been incarcerated for more than 1 month and higher odds of edentulism. However, this association was rendered statistically nonsignificant after accounting for wealth, current smoking status, mental health, and chronic disease. Collectively, wealth and smoking explained approximately 60% of the association between prior incarceration length and edentulism. Racial moderation models indicated that longer incarceration times increased edentulism likelihood in non-Hispanic Whites specifically.

Conclusions: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study on the association between prior incarceration length and edentulism among older adults. Study findings indicated the relationship between incarceration and edentulism was explained by higher wealth and current smoking status.

Practical implications: These findings highlight the need for adequate access to oral health care services for formerly incarcerated older adults to improve oral health and enhance their overall health and quality of life.