Dental care utilization patterns by the status of ADL and IADL in the elderly / 대한구강보건학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to analyze the effects of ADL and IADL on dental care utilization behaviors for the elderly 65 years of age and older. METHODS: Using data from the Korea Health Panel 2010-2011, we examined 2683 elderly people who did not use dental care and 12,550 cases of dental care utilization of 963 elderly people who used dental care among people aged 65 and older who responded to the items of ADL and IADL limitations. We employed two-part model (TPM) including logistic regression analysis in a first part of the model and negative binomial regression analysis in a second part of the model to estimate dental care utilization patterns associated with ADL and IADL of elderly adults. RESULTS: A frequency analysis revealed that dental care utilization was more frequent in the elderly with IADL limitations than in the elderly with ADL limitations. The first part of TPM predicted that dental care utilization was more likely to be present in males and younger age group along with increasing number of chronic diseases and independence in ADL and IADL. The results of the second part of TPM estimated the quantity of dental care utilization increased among high income groups. CONCLUSIONS: Limitations in ADL and IADL were found to affect the decision to seek dental care utilization, but physical limitations to have no statistical effect on the quantity of dental care utilization, once dental care utilization was taken for treatment. These findings suggested that dental care utilization would be determined by supplier induced demand and patient's own power to obtain treatment. Since decision to take dental care utilization, despite the barriers of limitations in activities, is an important factor which can satisfy medical needs, various policies to reflect oral health and physical fitness are required.