Factors influencing dental service utilisation: Findings from a UK household survey

Abstract

This study was designed to determine factors associated with and levels of dental service utilisation in the United Kingdom. A random probability sample of 2668 addresses was selected from the British Postcode Address File (PAF) and 1865 adults (70%) were interviewed in their own home. Information on use of dental services, dental anxiety and socio-demographic characteristics was collected. The data were analysed using the statistical package CHAID to identify significant factors in the use of services when age, gender, social class, level of income, level of education, area of residency, work pattern and dental anxiety were examined. 64% (1185) reported to have attended the dentist within the past year. Level of education was identified as the most important factor in determining services use (p<0.01), with 75% (312) of those with a high level of education reporting that they attended within the past year. For those who had a low level of education only 31% (75) reported attending the dentist within the past year. For those who had a low or high level of education, age was identified as the next most important factor in determining service use (p<0.01). Among those who had an intermediate level of education, dental anxiety was identified as the next most important determining factor in service utilisation (p<0.01). These findings may have implications for those involved in promoting the use of dental services and suggests the importance of targeting oral health promotion programmes at people who have lower levels of educational achievement, and especially older people in this category.