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Utilization of dental services in an elderly population
1Department of Prosthetics, Postgraduate Dental Education Center, Orebro, Sweden.
Swedish Dental Journal
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Elderly dental care utilization in Sweden was linked to age and dental status, with edentulous individuals receiving less treatment despite need. Further research is needed to address these disparities.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Dental Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Dental care access and utilization are critical for elderly health.
- Understanding factors influencing dental service use in older populations is essential for public health planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utilization of dental services among the elderly in Orebro County, Sweden.
- To identify factors associated with dental care seeking behavior and treatment receipt in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 500 elderly individuals (305 clinical examination, 158 telephone interview).
- Assessment of dental treatment needs and follow-up on care received over a three-year period.
- Multivariate analysis to determine significant predictors of dental service utilization.
Main Results:
- Fifty-five percent of the elderly had visited a dentist within the last three years, with significant variations based on age and dental status.
- In a follow-up, 69% received dental care between 1983-85, with dentulous individuals (84%) more likely to receive care than edentulous individuals (43%).
- Total edentulousness was significantly associated with lower treatment receipt, while income was not.
Conclusions:
- Dental status, particularly edentulousness, is a key determinant of dental care utilization and receipt among the elderly.
- Age also plays a role in seeking dental care.
- Targeted interventions may be necessary to improve dental care access for edentulous elderly individuals.