What variables are associated with use of and need for dental prosthesis? A cross-sectional study

Population-based studies assessing the factors associated with use of and need for dental prosthesis among older adults are scarce.

To evaluate the use of and need for dental prosthesis and associated factors in the older adult population of a southern city of Brazil.

A cross-sectional study, involving community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years), was performed. A probabilistic per cluster sampling was used, and 282 participants from Veranópolis, Brazil, were included. A clinical oral health examination was performed, and a structured questionnaire was applied. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to verify associations using Poisson regression with robust variance.

The prevalence of use of dental prosthesis was 87.2% (n = 246), while the prevalence of need for dental prosthesis was 27% (n = 76). Older adults with medium/high levels of education had 17.8% (P = .019) lower prevalence ratio (PR) for use of dental prosthesis. Unmarried and retired older adults had, respectively, 11.1% (PR:1.111; 95%CI:1.022-1.207) and 19.5% (PR:1.195; 95%CI:1.009-1.415) higher PR for use of prosthesis. Those without access to dental care had 11.8% (P = .012) higher PR for use of dental prosthesis. Older adults living in rural areas had 64.7% (PR:1.647; 95%CI:1.079-2.514) higher PR of need for dental prosthesis.

High and low prevalence of use of and need for dental prosthesis, respectively, were detected in this sample. Level of education, marital status, retirement status and access to dental care were associated with the use of dental prostheses. However, only residence area was associated with the need for oral rehabilitation.