Steffany Chamut1, Shahdokht Boroumand2, Timothy J Iafolla2, Margo Adesanya2, Elena M Fazio3, Bruce A Dye2. 1. Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. 2. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH/NIDCR), Bethesda, MD, USA. 3. National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Abstract
Objective: To investigate factors associated with infrequent dental use among older adults receiving home- and community-based services. Method: This cross-sectional study analyzed responses from the 2014 National Survey of Older Americans Act participants who received home- and community-based services. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the association between infrequent dental use and key sociodemographic and health indicators. Results: Infrequent dental use was highest among adults participating in case management and home-delivered meals (63%); the lowest among those participating in congregate meals (41%). Participants who did not complete high school were 2 to 5 times more likely to be infrequent dental users compared to those with educational attainment beyond high school. Discussion: Among older adults receiving home- and community-based services, improving oral health knowledge and health literacy may reduce infrequent dental use.
Objective: To investigate factors associated with infrequent dental use among older adults receiving home- and community-based services. Method: This cross-sectional study analyzed responses from the 2014 National Survey of Older Americans Act participants who received home- and community-based services. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the association between infrequent dental use and key sociodemographic and health indicators. Results: Infrequent dental use was highest among adults participating in case management and home-delivered meals (63%); the lowest among those participating in congregate meals (41%). Participants who did not complete high school were 2 to 5 times more likely to be infrequent dental users compared to those with educational attainment beyond high school. Discussion: Among older adults receiving home- and community-based services, improving oral health knowledge and health literacy may reduce infrequent dental use.
Entities:
Keywords:
dental services utilization; dental visit; home- and community-based services; older adults; oral health
Authors: Susan O Griffin; Judith A Jones; Diane Brunson; Paul M Griffin; William D Bailey Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2012-01-19 Impact factor: 9.308