Abstract
BackgroundPrior to the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey, there was no nationally representative clinical data on the oral health of Canadians experiencing cost barriers to dental care. The aim of this study was to determine the oral health status and dental treatment needs of Canadians reporting cost barriers to dental care.MethodsA secondary data analysis of the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey was undertaken using a sample of 5,586 Canadians aged 6 to 79. Chi square tests were conducted to test the association between reporting cost barriers to care and oral health outcomes. Logistic regressions were conducted to identify predictors of reporting cost barriers.ResultsIndividuals who reported cost barriers to dental care had poorer oral health and more treatment needs compared to their counterparts.ConclusionsAvoiding dental care and/or foregoing recommended treatment because of cost may contribute to poor oral health. This study substantiates the potential likelihood of progressive dental problems caused by an inability to treat existing conditions due to financial barriers.
Highlights
Prior to the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey, there was no nationally representative clinical data on the oral health of Canadians experiencing cost barriers to dental care
The 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) reports that the majority of dental care in Canada is privately financed and delivered on a fee-for-service basis, with 62.6 per cent of Canadians paying for dental care through employment-based insurance, 31.9 per cent through out-of-pocket payments, and 5.5 per cent through public funding
It is argued that a significant minority of the Canadian population is likely to experience financial barriers to accessing dental care, especially among those who do not have any form of dental insurance
Summary
Prior to the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey, there was no nationally representative clinical data on the oral health of Canadians experiencing cost barriers to dental care. The aim of this study was to determine the oral health status and dental treatment needs of Canadians reporting cost barriers to dental care. Public dental care programs in Canada are generally only targeted to those that meet strict income eligibility criteria, such as those on social or disability assistance. Even among those that are eligible, coverage is typically for basic services and is largely limited to children and adolescents, and in most cases, only emergency treatment is provided to adults [1]. In a national sample of Canadian adults, Locker et al [4] demonstrated that 30 per cent reported avoiding or delaying dental visits, and 32.2 per cent reported not being able to receive all the treatment that was recommended due to cost
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