Economic impact of dental service utilization by older adults

Article Abstract:

Although the proportion of the American population that is elderly has been steadily increasing over the last several decades, the elderly have sought dental care at a lower rate than other segments of the population. Those who did seek help were often treated with palliative (relieving symptoms without curing underlying causes) or emergency measures. These patterns now appear to be changing. Based on results from an ongoing study in Minnesota that began almost 10 years ago, a second study was designed to evaluate some of the same issues in five states, chosen to represent different demographic patterns. The states were: Arizona, a fast-growing population of elderly people; Colorado, with a small population of elderly; Florida, currently the largest population of elderly; and Connecticut and Minnesota, with an average number of elderly, but in different geographical regions. Questionnaires were mailed to practicing dentists according to a complex procedure to maximize the response rate. The overall response rate was 43 percent (747 usable responses). In all five states, the percentage of visits by the elderly exceeded the percentage of the elderly in the state's population, especially in Arizona and Florida. In addition, the percentage of total practice income generated by patients age 60 or older exceeded the percentage of visits made by that age group. Average expenditures per visit were also high for this group. People 60 and older tended to pay for their dental visits by 'out-of-pocket' means (76 percent), while some (21 percent) had private insurance, and a few received Medicaid. The findings show that elderly patients play an important role in dentistry and that their use of dental services is substantial. With the anticipated increase in numbers of elderly, the elderly are likely to become an even more significant factor for dentistry. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Aged, Elderly, Surveys, Dentistry, Dental personnel and patient, Dental personnel-patient relations

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Root caries and root defects in urban and rural adults: The Florida Dental Care Study

Article Abstract:

Adults who are poor and live in rural areas are more likely to have root cavities than other adults. This was documented in the Florida Dental Care Study, which surveyed 873 adults 45 or older in four northern Florida counties, including the metropolitan area of Jacksonville. Over half the participants did not see a dentist on a regular basis. Twenty-eight percent had active cavities on the teeth roots, and 96% of the cavities were primary cavities. African Americans, men, rural residents and those living in poverty were more likely to have root cavities.

Dental caries

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Restoration fractures, cusp fractures and root fragments in a diverse sample of adults: 24-month incidence

Article Abstract:

Many people may have undiagnosed tooth or filling fractures, especially those who do not see a dentist on a regular basis. In a study of 723 patients, 20% had a fracture and 26% of these patients had developed a new fracture two years later.

Statistical Data Included, Injuries, Statistics, Teeth, Tooth injuries

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