J Agric Med Community Health.  2015 Dec;40(4):193-205. 10.5393/JAMCH.2015.40.4.193.

Relationship Between Presence of Dental Clinics in Public Health Facilities and Oral Health Conditions of Local Elderly People

• Jeong KS
• Na BJ
• Kim ES

• KMID: 2135545
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2015.40.4.193

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to find the relationship between oral health conditions of elderly people and closures of public dental health clinics in rural areas.
METHODS
Oral examinations and surveys were conducted in 2011 from May 11 through November 4 on 383 seniors over 65-years and under 74 years old.
RESULTS
The results of this study were as follows: 1. The results of comparative analysis of the usage behaviors of health clinics of subjects in relation to the closures of public dental clinics within the area showed that the usage level and frequency of public health agencies in areas with public dental clinics were high, and that the trend of influence on personal oral health conditions and improvement in prevention was high. When compared to 3 years ago, there was an 11.6 percentage point reduction in areas without public dental clinics (24.4%) compared to areas with public dental clinics (12.8%). 2. The results of comparative analysis of the oral health conditions and behaviors of subjects in relation to the closures of public dental clinics showed that the level of dental caries was high in areas with no public dental clinics, and the number of toothbrush usage and oral health supplemental product usage were shown to be high in areas with public dental clinics.
CONCLUSION
The closures of public dental clinics were found to affect oral health behavior and conditions of elderly people in rural areas.

Keyword

Dental Care for Aged; Dental Caries; Oral health,; Rural Health Services

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Dental Care for Aged
Dental Caries
Dental Clinics*
Diagnosis, Oral
Humans
Oral Health*
Public Health*
Rural Health Services