Use of dental services throughout middle and early old ages: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Regular use of dental health care services decreased slightly but statistically significantly from age 50 to 65 and was most prevalent in socio-economically advantaged groups, among those with remaining own teeth, subjects who perceived oral problems and reported high quality dental care. The results have implications for planning of elderly dental health care and required dental workforce in Sweden and countries with similar welfare systems.

Social predictors of less frequent dental attendance over time among older people: population‐averaged and person‐specific estimates

“…According to previous findings in the Nordic countries, the majority of adults visit a dentist on a regular 12‐month basis, whereas younger people attend less often. This may reflect generational differences in preferences and needs related to health and oral health …”

Independent older adults perspectives on oral health

“…Dental visit patterns in early older adulthood are related to corresponding habits in childhood . Children and adolescents who develop regular dental attendance patterns maintain that routine into middle and early older ages . Participants in this study who visited an oral health professional in early adulthood mentioned that their lack of seeking care in childhood was due to residing in a rural community or another country where the importance of oral care was not emphasized and there was a lack of dentists.…”

Dental hygienist attendance and its covariates in an ageing Swedish cohort

“…This study used five consecutive data collections generated by a cohort study of people born in 1942. Details of the survey and the recruitment procedures have been published elsewhere . Data were collected when the participants were 50 yr of age and again 5, 10, 15, and 20 yr later.…”

“…Nationwide cross‐sectional surveys have demonstrated an increase in dental‐care utilization with increasing age up to age 66 yr, followed by reduced rates after the age of 67 . In contrast, prospective cohort studies have indicated a decline in annual dental attendance with increasing age between 50 and 65 yr of age . Evidence suggests that a considerable number of independently living older people have lost contact with dental health‐care services and that 21% of 80‐yr‐old individuals abandon dental care because of a lack of financial resources .…”