Individual social capital and dental pain in older adults.

Abstract

To investigate the association between the structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital and dental pain in Brazilian adults aged 50years and over. This cross-sectional study conducted individual assessments of 6154 Brazilians aged 50years or older. Four individual variables based on structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital were assessed. We used hierarchical logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratio for dental pain with individual structural and cognitive social capital variables adjusted for associated factors. The model followed hypothetical pathways linking social capital to oral health. Cognitive social capital was associated with dental pain. Participants who did not trust their neighbourhood had a 28% greater chance (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02-1.60) of dental pain than those who did. Elements of cognitive dimension of social capital, particularly trust, reciprocity and support, as part of a common risk factor approach, should be considered when planning oral health promotion and preventive activities for older people.