RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To determine the utilization of oral health services in community health centers in Korea. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved secondary analysis of data obtained from the 2011-2012 Community Health Survey. The data were analyzed to determine the utilization of community oral health services. A total of 458,417 people (weighted sample was 80,268,227) were included. A multistage probability proportional systematic sampling method was used. The dependent variable was the utilization of community oral health services. The independent variables were region (city, town, and district), demographic characteristics (gender, age, education, income, occupation, and basic livelihood security), oral health status, and overall health status. The differences in the utilization of community oral health services related to independent variables were analyzed using an independent t-test and ANOVA. Additionally, a Scheffe post-hoc test was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using PASW statistics 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), at the 5% significance level. RESULTS: The average utilization rate was 26.3% for community health care services and 4.3% for oral health services during the study period in Korea. Utilization was associated with old age and lower education and income levels (P<0.01). Furthermore, residents having poor oral health, chewing discomfort, and unmet dental needs most frequently used the community oral health services. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of community oral health services was low in Korea. The needs and circumstances of communities should be considered and unique regional structural characteristics should be identified to plan and execute oral health programs and incorporate them with community health care services for overall community health.