Factors Related to Oral Healthcare Service Utilization among Korean Adults Aged 25–79 Years

Han-Na Kim, Sang-Jun Han, Eun-Joo Jun and Jin-Bom Kim
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Han-Na Kim: Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28503, Korea
Sang-Jun Han: Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
Eun-Joo Jun: Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
Jin-Bom Kim: Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-10

Abstract: The factors related to oral healthcare service utilization (OHSU) among Korean adults aged 25–79 years were assessed using the Andersen model with the sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. The study included 12,937 participants aged 25–79 years who answered questions on the predisposing, enabling, and need factors related to OHSU at dental clinics within the past 1 year. Age, sex, and education level were selected as predisposing factors; household income, residence region, and national and private health insurance status as enabling factors; and self-perceived oral health, dental pain, chewing status, and discomfort while speaking as need factors. These factors were assessed using multivariable complex logistic regression models. OHSU at dental clinics within the past 1 year was lower among less-educated participants, those with low, middle–low, and middle–high household income levels, rural participants, those benefiting from the Medicaid system, and non-insured participants. OHSU was higher among older participants, those who rated their self-perceived oral health status as bad, those with experience of dental pain, and those who experienced discomfort while chewing and speaking. The need factors were the most influential. Thus, interventions to reduce inequalities in OHSU are required to promote oral health for all.

Keywords: Andersen–Newman model; dental caries; education; health insurance; inequality; oral health care utilization; periodontitis; socioeconomic status (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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