Factors associated with dental service utilization among long-term care insurance recipients:analysis of the national elderly cohort database
10.11149/jkaoh.2026.50.1.24
- Author:
Ji-Eun JEON
1
;
Guk-Hwan JUNG
;
You-Bin YIM
Author Information
1. Korean Dental Association Health Policy Institute, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
2026;50(1):24-30
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:This study examined dental care utilization among older adults who use long-term care (LTC) insurance and identified sociodemographic and LTC-related factors associated with dental care utilization.
Methods:This cross-sectional study analyzed the 2019 data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Elderly Cohort Database. We examined the data of 50,606 beneficiaries aged ≥60 years. Stepwise multiple logistic regression was performed to identify the impact of sociodemographic and LTC-specific factors on dental service utilization.
Results:The dental care utilization rate was 29.4%. Higher utilization was significantly associated with male sex, younger age, urban residence, higher income, and disability. Notably, LTC characteristics were strong predictors of dental service utilization: home-based care users were 2.26 times more likely to use dental services than facility-based users (OR=2.26, 95% CI: 2.11-2.43).Utilization significantly decreased with higher LTC severity (grade 1; OR=0.22). Dental utilization was higher when a spouse was the primary caregiver but lower when care was provided by paid caregivers.
Conclusions:Dental care utilization among LTC recipients is constrained by structural factors, including benefit types and caregiving environments. Policy efforts should focus on institutionalizing home-visit dental services and enhancing caregivers’ oral health competencies within the LTC system.
