Objective This study investigated the role of self‐perceived oral health and normative need on dental services utilization by US adults aged ≥30 years from the 2011‐2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods Data on 5,806 dentate adult NHANES participants were analyzed. Key independent variables were self‐perceived oral health and normative need assessed by a dentist. The dependent variable was dental visit within the past 12 months. Select sociodemographic variables were adjusted for in logistic regression models using SAS survey procedures. Results Overall, 33.8 percent of adults did not have a dental visit in the past 12 months. About 26.9 percent reported they were unsatisfied with their oral health and 53.4 percent needed to seek care. Individuals unsatisfied with their oral health were less likely to have a dental visit in the past 12 months compared to those who were satisfied with their oral health (57 versus 25 percent). Overall, participants who were unsatisfied with their oral health received a recommendation to seek care. These participants had more normative needs and were less likely to have a dental visit in the past 12 months; however, this relationship varied by race/ethnicity. For Asian‐Americans, there was no association between those unsatisfied with their oral health and dental visits. Also, there was no association across all race/ethnicities between number of teeth present and dental visits. Conclusion Both self‐perceived oral health and normative need are associated with dental utilization. Results will contribute to health policy discussions and program development that aim to improve oral health status in the United States.

Objectives To assess the link between oral health knowledge (OHK), self‐perceived oral health, and emergency room (ER)/urgent care utilization for a dental problem. Methods Data were analyzed from a convenience sample of 790 adult participants who presented to two US dental schools and completed an interviewer‐administered survey. Key independent variables were OHK assessed with the Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge (CMOHK) instrument, self‐perceived oral health status and quality of life determined using the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) scores. The dependent variable was ER and/or urgent care utilization for a dental problem. Select sociodemographic variables such as age and gender were adjusted for in logistic regression models using SAS. Results 15.7% of the participants had ever visited an ER and/or urgent care for a dental problem. CMOHK scores were not significantly associated with visits to the ER and/or urgent care. In adjusted analysis, participants with unfavorable GOHAI scores were about three times as likely to have had an ER and/or urgent care visit (OR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.66–4.09). Similarly, participants who were unsatisfied with their oral health were about twice as likely to have had an ER and/or urgent care visit (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.21–3.00) as compared to those satisfied with their oral health status. Conclusion Individuals unsatisfied with their oral health and those with unfavorable perceived oral health related quality of life could benefit from a greater awareness of dental service availability and extended hours including weekend hours at public dental clinics.