Abstract
BackgroundsWe explored the association between working hours and unmet dental needs among adults who have experienced dental pain, and how this relationship varied by demographic and lifestyle factors.MethodsWe used the data of 9594 adults who reported dental pain from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) V and VI. We conducted a logistic regression analysis to determine the association between working hours and unmet dental needs, followed by a subgroup analysis and Cochran-Armitage trend tests.ResultsAmong the 4203 male subjects, 1661 (39.5%) experienced unmet dental needs. They also showed a significant dose-response relationship between working hours and unmet dental needs (OR 1.21 [95% CI 0.97–1.51], OR 1.30 [95% CI 0.99–1.69], OR 1.33 [95% CI 1.04–1.71], OR 1.58 [95% CI 1.21–2.07] compared to no working hours), whereas female participants did not. The significance of the association was preserved among participants with increased consumption of alcohol, urban residence, and who brushed their teeth at least twice a day. It was also stronger among those who lacked access to dental services or did not perceive the need for dental care.ConclusionAmong adults who have experienced dental pain, unmet dental needs had higher odds of occurring in males who worked longer, and this relationship appears to be influenced by consumption of alcohol, region of residence, tooth-brushing frequency, and access to and perception of dental care. Accordingly, policies should be drafted to reduce unmet needs by considering these factors.
Highlights
A good society ensures that individuals can readily obtain appropriate medical services when needed
Of the 4203 (43.8%) male participants and 5391 (56.2%) female participants, 1661 (39.5%) and 2376 (44.1%) had experienced unmet dental needs, respectively. Among both males and females, the percentage of unmet dental needs increased with working hours (p < 0.001 in males, p = 0.017 in female)
The odds ratios increased with working hours among males
Summary
A good society ensures that individuals can readily obtain appropriate medical services when needed. Improving the medical facilities does not always translate to a better hospital experience for patients. A variety of obstacles can hinder individuals from reaching or deciding to contact a doctor, even when they might need to [3]. Unmet needs in health care can lead to a range of adverse health outcomes [4]. By identifying and resolving the causes of unmet needs in patients, we can expect an improvement in overall medical services without further investment in medical resources, which are often limited. Canada has noted a number of diverse efforts in considering gender, income, and social integration to alleviate inequalities in unmet dental needs [5]
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