Date Published:
2020 Jun 11Abstract:
To investigate factors associated with infrequent dental use among older adults receiving home- and community-based services. This cross-sectional study analyzed responses from the 2014 National Survey of Older Americans Act participants who received home- and community-based services. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the association between infrequent dental use and key sociodemographic and health indicators. Infrequent dental use was highest among adults participating in case management and home-delivered meals (63%); the lowest among those participating in congregate meals (41%). Participants who did not complete high school were 2 to 5 times more likely to be infrequent dental users compared to those with educational attainment beyond high school. Among older adults receiving home- and community-based services, improving oral health knowledge and health literacy may reduce infrequent dental use.
