Non-institutionalized elderly dental patients in Israel: socio-demographics, health concerns, and dental anxiety

The purpose of this study was to evaluate which factors might influence health care attitudes such as anxiety about dental care by older adults in Israel. The study population consisted of 103 non-institutionalized patients (46 men and 57 women) over the age of 65 who attended a dental clinic that provided services for older adults during a one-year period. Socio-demographic information and information about the subjects' general health and their level of concern about health problems were obtained from self-reported questionnaires, while the dental anxiety level was found by means of a dental anxiety scale (DAS). Ninety-nine percent of the patients suffered from a major systemic disease such as diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, respiratory disease, and rheumatic disease. Both unmarried and first-time patients expressed high anxiety scores. Patients with 12 or fewer years of formal schooling demonstrated significantly higher dental anxiety. Among patients who regularly attended a synagogue or a social club, concern about oral health was significantly higher than for the rest (p < 0.02). No association was found between having dentures and gender, or between having dentures and level of education. The reason for visiting the clinic (inability to eat, pain, or esthetics) was not associated with any other health concern or with dental anxiety levels. This study determined that patients who were unmarried, less educated, or attending the facility for the first time were more likely to experience dental anxiety. These patients merit special consideration.