Factors Related to the Unmet Dental Care Needs of Adults with Dental Pain.
10.17135/jdhs.2016.16.5.355
- Author:
Eunsuk AHN
1
;
Myong Suk SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Social and Humanity in Dentistry, Wonkwang University School of Dentistry, Iksan 54538, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Experience of dental pain;
Oral health status;
Socioeconomic status;
Unmet dental need
- MeSH:
Adult*;
Delivery of Health Care;
Dental Care*;
Humans;
Insurance, Dental;
Korea;
Logistic Models;
Mastication;
National Health Programs;
Nutrition Surveys;
Oral Health;
Social Class
- From:
Journal of Dental Hygiene Science
2016;16(5):355-360
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine unmet dental care needs and related factors among adults in Korea. The study included a nationally representative sample of Koreans (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2104). The dependent variable was unmet dental care need and the independent variables were socioeconomic status and oral health status. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the associations between explanatory variables and unmet dental care needs. The major causes of unmet dental care needs included economic burden, work life, and academic reasons; in addition, dental treatment was considered to have lower priority. The factors that had statistically significant relationships with unmet dental care needs were sex, age, self-rated oral health status, and difficulty in mastication. The findings of the study, suggest a need for lower dental insurance copayments in keeping with the policies and principles aimed at strengthening the national health insurance system. In addition, groups with limited access to dental services should be identified, and effective health care policies and services should be established for these individuals.
