J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2021 Jun;45(2):77-81. 10.11149/jkaoh.2021.45.2.77.

Factors of unmet dental care needs among elderly living alone

• Kim JH
• Kim SY
• Jo KH
• Kim YR
• Choi M

• KMID: 2517232
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11149/jkaoh.2021.45.2.77

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors affecting unmet dental care needs among elderly living alone.
Methods
The study subjects were 19,019 elderly living by themselves, who participated in the Korea Community Health Survey 2018 (KCHS, 2018). The data were analyzed using frequency analysis, Rao-Scott chi-square test, t-test, and binary logistic regression analysis, using the SAS 9.4 software.
Results
Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a higher odds ratio (OR) for unmet dental care needs among those with a monthly household income below KRW 1,000,000 (OR=1.64, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI=1.39-1.92), compared to those with an income of above KRW 2,000,000. With regards to stress levels, unmet dental care needs were more prevalent among participants in the “stress moderate” (OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.06-1.33) and “stress” groups (OR=1.68 95% CI=1.48-1.92), compared to the “no stress” group. Furthermore, the OR for unmet dental care needs was significantly higher among participants in the “depression” group (OR=1.84, 95% CI=1.61-2.11) than the “no depression” group.
Conclusions
Higher unmet dental care needs were found among participants in the low monthly household income, stress, and depression groups. Further study is needed to analyze the association between factors and needs related to unmet dental care.

Keyword

Dental health services; Depression; Elderly living alone; Korea community health survey; Stress; Unmet dental care needs

Reference

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