How age influences expenditure for dental services in Norway

Several studies have shown that demand for dental services decreases with increasing age. There is a lack of research to examine how utilization (as opposed to demand) varies with age. This relationship is likely to depend on family income and number of teeth. This study had two aims: Firstly, to examine the relationship between age, family income, number of teeth, and expenditure for dental services in Norway. Secondly, to compare a model where expenditure was the dependent variable with a model where demand was the dependent variable, using the same set of explanatory variables (age, income, and number of teeth). The analysis was performed on a set of national data collected in 1987, which was representative of the non-institutionalized Norwegian population 20 yr and above. The sample size was 1216 individuals. The data were analyzed according to a path analysis design, using regression analysis (OLS). Age had no effect on expenditure after controlling for family income and number of teeth. Expenditure decreased and demand increased with increasing number of teeth. This has two implications: Firstly, expenditure will rise and demand decrease with increasing age because number of teeth decreases with age. Secondly, utilization of dental services is likely to decrease, and demand increase as oral health improves.