Patterns of use of oral health care services in Australian rural adults : the Crossroads-II Dental sub-study

R. Mariño, K. Glenister, L. Bourke, M. Morgan, C. Atala-Acevedo, D. Simmons

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: As part of a larger study, the Crossroads-II Dental sub-study determined the patterns of, and barriers to, oral health care service utilization in a rural area of Victoria. Methods: In this cross-sectional sub-study predisposing, enabling, needs-related, and oral health variables were considered in association with patterns of oral health care utilization. A logistic regression was performed to explain the use of oral health care services. Results: Overall, 574 adults participated, with 50.9% reporting having visited an oral health care service in the previous 12 months. Age, number of chronic health conditions and holding a health card; were associated with increased visit to a dentist (OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00–1.03; OR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01–1.16; OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.26–3.36, respectively). Perceived barriers to care and number of missing teeth decreased the odds of using services (OR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.36–0.58; OR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92–0.98, respectively). Conclusions: Results suggest that use of oral health care services is associated with a range of financial, educational, health and structural barriers. Increasing the use of oral health care services in rural populations requires additional efforts beyond the reduction of financial barriers.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)397-405
Number of pages9
JournalAustralian Dental Journal
Volume66
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Patterns of use of oral health care services in Australian rural adults : the Crossroads-II Dental sub-study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this