Unmet dental care need in West of Iran: determinants and inequality

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the self-perceived need, seeking and use of dental care and its main determinants in Kurdistan province, Iran. Design/methodology/approach A total of 1,056 adults in Kurdistan province were included in this cross-sectional study. Multistage sampling approach was used to select the samples. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, economic status, self-perceived need, seeking and use of dental care were collected using a self-administrated questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess factors affecting the use of dental care. In addition, socioeconomic inequality relating to dental care needs and use of dental care were examined using concentration curve and concentration index. Findings In this study, unmet dental care need was 62.7%. There was a perceived need for dental care among 13.7% (n = 145) of the participants in the past month, with only 39.3% (n = 57) seeking the care. The most important reasons for unmet dental care need were “Could not afford the cost” and “Insurance did not cover the costs.” Multivariate logistic regression showed that supplementary insurance status and household economic status were identified as main determinants affecting dental care-seeking behavior. The result of concentration index revealed that seeking dental care was more concentrated among the rich, whereas the perceived dental care need is more prevalent among the poor. Originality/value This study demonstrated that the prevalence of unmet dental care needs is high in the study setting. Also, financial barrier was identified as the main determinant of unmet dental care needs.

How Work Pattern Transformation May Affect the Mental Health of Older Workers Faced With Unmet Health Care Needs During the Pandemic? A Comparative Investigation of Different Work Models

“…Unmet health care need is a longstanding problem especially in underdeveloped areas, which is further deteriorated during the pandemic. [49][50][51] This study reveals how the pandemic-induced health care resource shortages impact the mental health problem among older people and compares such effect among them with different work patterns. Previous studies document the association between unmet health care needs and the presence of depressive symptoms.…”