Predictors for Utilization of Dental Services among Aged Population in India - A Cross Sectional Survey

Background: Regular utilization of dental services enables to improve and maintain oral and general health, in old age. The study assessed the factors acting as barriers and their association with the utilization of dental services among the elderly population aged 65-74 years in Davangere, India. Methodology: A cross-sectional door-to-door survey using a self-designed, structured, validated questionnaire was carried out with a sample of 1440 elders aged 65-74 years residing in Davangere city. They were randomly selected through a multistage sampling technique. Information regarding demographic details, systemic conditions, oral hygiene practices, perceived need, utilization rate of dental services, and factors acting as barriers for the utilization of dental services among elderly was collected. "Cronbach's a test and test-retest" tests were performed to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. The Chi-square test, Pearson correlation test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association between various factors acting as barriers and utilization of dental services. Results: Fifty percent of elders perceived a problem in their oral cavity, and 41.4% had utilized dental service in the previous year. The factors such as location of clinic, appointment system, expense of treatment, self-care, inability to comprehend the dentist explanation, availability of specialist, and service on weekends were highly significant in the regression model (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Education, economic condition, negative perception of dental treatment, presence of systemic conditions, inability to comprehend dentist explanation, and use of self-oral care were the most important barriers for the utilization of dental services.