LMU Dental Faculty Publish Study on U.S. Veterans' Dental Care Access
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A research study led by Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) faculty highlights disparities in dental care access among U.S. veterans.
The paper, titled “Prevalence and Associated Factors of Past-Year Dental Visit Among U.S. Veterans 2012–2022: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System,” was published in the Journal of Military Social Work and Behavioral Health Services, a peer-reviewed journal by Taylor & Francis. It was authored by Ehsanul Hoque Apu, B.D.S., M.Sc., Ph., assistant professor of biomedical science, in collaboration with Nazeeba Siddika, B.D.S., M.P.H., PhD, assistant professor of dental medicine.
The study analyzed data from more than 276,000 veterans collected through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System between 2012 and 2022.
Researchers found that veterans aged 30 and older were 23% to 48% less likely to have had a dental visit in the past year compared to those aged 18–29. The study also identified key socioeconomic factors—including education, income and employment status—as significant predictors of whether veterans received dental care.
For more information or to read the full research publication click here.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) is home to the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) and Dental Hygiene (DH) programs. It is in Knoxville at the newly renovated LMU Tower. For more information about LMU-CDM programs contact, CollegeofDentalMedicine@LMUnet.edu.
