Predicting utilization of dental services by the aged

• Published in: Journal of public health dentistry Vol. 50; no. 3; p. 164
• Main Authors: Holtzman, J M, Berkey, A B, Mann, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.1990
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Anxiety - epidemiology; Colorado - epidemiology; Dental Health Services - statistics & numerical data; Discriminant Analysis; Female; Forecasting; Health Services for the Aged - statistics & numerical data; Health Services Needs and Demand - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Male; Middle Aged
• ISSN: 0022-4006
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-7325.1990.tb02110.x

This article reports the results of a study of factors that differentiate among utilizers and nonutilizers of dental services in old age. Two hundred community-dwelling subjects aged 60-89 were surveyed regarding utilization of dental services, dentate status, current treatment needs, recent symptom experiences, and dental fear and anxiety. Discriminant analysis was used to differentiate among utilizers and nonutilizers. Dentate status, perceived need, and recent symptom experiences were the best predictors of utilization. The contribution to accurate classification made by two measures of dental fear and anxiety was marginal at best. When dentate status was removed as a predictor, the role of fear and anxiety became somewhat more important.