Unmet dental health care needs among adults in Serbia, Survey on Income and Living Conditions 2017

Abstract

Abstract Background Changes in the health insurance law in 2005 led to the changes in the organization of the provision of dental health care in Serbia. Prior to this law, dental health care was available for every resident covered by mandatory health insurance without additional out-of-pocket payments. Now the dental health care is available only for children under the age of 18, students under the age of 26, pregnant women and for emergency dental care. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of unmet dental health care needs among adults and to assess the factors associated with unmet dental health care needs. Methods The study was the secondary analysis of the data from the Survey on income and Living conditions in Serbia, conducted during 2017. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of unmet dental health care needs and socio-demographic and socio-economic factors. Results Total of 1718/12437 (12.1%) adults reported unmet dental health care needs. The main reason reported was not being able to afford it (1014/1718, 59.0%), along with the fear of doctors or hospitals (260/1718, 15.5%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the association of unmet dental health care needs and being employed (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.24-1.80), unemployed (OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.65-2.33), having primary (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.16-1.86), or secondary education (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.21-1.69), being divorced (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.17-1.85), having good (OR:1.44, 95% CI: 1.20- 1.74), average (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.91-2.92), poor (OR: 2.29, 95%CI: 1.77-2.97), or very poor general health (OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.68-3.48), having limitation in daily activities (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.60-0.77) and being materially deprived (OR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.46-1.90). Conclusions The prevalence of unmet dental health care needs in high among adults in Serbia. There is an association between social characteristics and health status with unmet dental health care needs in Serbia. Key messages There is a high prevalence of unmet dental health care needs in Serbia. Unmet dental health care needs are associated with social characteristics and health status.