Factors Associated with Unmet Dental Needs among Single-Person Households in Korea
10.17135/jdhs.2019.19.1.48
- Author:
Dong Hwi KIM
1
;
Hyeongmi KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dental Hygiene, Namseoul University, Cheonan 31020, Korea. agatha7kim@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Dental care;
Health surveys;
Single person;
Smoking
- MeSH:
Causality;
Dental Care;
Family Characteristics;
Health Surveys;
Humans;
Korea;
Logistic Models;
Mastication;
Nutrition Surveys;
Oral Health;
Single Person;
Smoke;
Smoking
- From:
Journal of Dental Hygiene Science
2019;19(1):48-59
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to provide the data for discussions related to oral health promotion policies for single-person households by analyzing the status of unmet dental needs and related factors in single-person households in Korea, based on the Anderson model. METHODS: The data, obtained from 544 single-person households of those over 20 years old who were targeted for the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, were analyzed through a complex sample frequency analysis, complex sample cross analysis (Rao-Scott chi-square test), and complex sample binary logistic regression analysis on a complex sampling design. RESULTS: The most frequently given reason for an unmet dental need among single-person households was economic (52.4%). Factors related to the unmet dental needs of single-person households are smoking, which is a predisposing factor; personal income levels, which are an enabling factor; chewing discomfort; and limited daily activities, which are need factors. Smokers, the high-income group, the chewing-discomfort group, and the limited activity group showed high unmet dental care experience. Smokers had a 2.75 times higher rate of unmet dental care than non-smokers, and the high-income group had a 5.29 times higher rate of unmet dental needs than the median group. The rate of unmet dental needs for the chewing discomfort group was 3.27 times higher than the non-chewing discomfort group, and the limited activity group had a 7.87 times higher rate of unmet dental needs than the non-limited activity group. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to map out policies designed to help maintain and promote met dental needs considered to be internally heterogeneous to single-person householders, based on the Anderson model.
