Work

Changes in factors affecting dental care use among older adults in Korea: KNHANES 2013-2022

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: Unmet dental care needs are a major cause of oral health deterioration among older adults. This study aimed to explore ways to improve access to dental care by comparing trends in unmet dental care needs over several years. Methods: Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), we identified factors related to unmet dental care at each survey point from the 2013-2022, with a four-year interval. The study participants for the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth waves were 1,375, 1,632, 1,735, and 1,666 older adults, respectively. Results: From 2013–2022, unmet dental care showed statistically significant differences according to sex (p<0.05), health checkups (p<0.05), and chewing discomfort (p<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that chewing discomfort was a statistically significant (p<0.001) factor influencing unmet dental care needs over the past decade. Conclusions: The study findings indicated that chewing discomfort has consistently influenced unmet dental care, and comprehensive measures to improve access to dental care for the older population are needed.

Source: Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene

DOI: 10.13065/jksdh.2025.25.2.3

Author: Hye-Sook Choi

Institution: Kyungdong University

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $237