Comparison of Dental Care Utilization Among Institutionalized Older Adults and Those Living at Home, France, 2008–2009

Objective: Ensuring equitable and high-quality access to oral health care for older adults remains a challenge. The aim of this study is to compare the use of dental services among older adults living in long-term care facilities with that of older adults living at home. Method: The analyzed data, limited to individuals over 60 years of age, were drawn from the Handicap-Santé survey conducted in France among ordinary households (HSM) and in institutions (HSI). Propensity score matching was used to compare the two populations while minimizing bias. The matching variables were age, sex, degree of dependency, socioeconomic status, and frequency of contact with family. Results: A subsample of 3,358 older adults (1,679 pairs) was formed. The probability of seeking dental care is reduced by one-quarter when individuals are institutionalized (OR=0.7; p <0.001) compared to those living at home. For institutionalized individuals, however, the use of dental care appears more frequent in private nonprofit facilities than in public or private for-profit facilities. Conclusion: All other things being equal, living in an institution can be considered a barrier to dental care. (R.A.)

Author(s): Thiebaut S, Lupi Pegurier L, Paraponaris A, Ventelou B

Publishing year: 2013

Pages: 60-4

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2013, n° 7, p. 60-4

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