Dental behavioral aspects of a non-institutionalized elderly population

Various studies have shown an increase in utilization of dental services among the elderly in the last three decades. This study aimed at evaluating utilization rate of non-institutionalized geriatric population in Jerusalem and determining reasons for non-utilization. To eliminate the factor of accessibility of services, a Jerusalem neighborhood with a dental geriatric clinic was selected and all residents were notified. A second letter requesting cooperation with a dentist who would be visiting their homes was sent, and was followed by a phone call. According to a list provided by the municipality, 175 homes were visited; only 87 were examined, 21.7% refused; 4.6% were disqualified for health problems, 13.7% died and 10.3% moved. Testing included: a clinical dental examination, an interview regarding number of visits at a dental clinic and reasons for non-utilization of services. Results indicated that 42.4% had visited a dentist during the last year and 37.6% had not seen a dentist for more than 5 years. Of those who had not seen a dentist for more than a year, 62.7% indicated having no problems, 9.8% indicated a financial barrier, 7.8% indicated no services available, 5.9% were too busy and only 3.9% indicated fear as the reason for non-utilization. Though the sample was relatively small, accessibility and availability of dental services have proven to be factors which increase utilization.