Demand and Access to Primary Dental Services of the Social-Bound Elderly, Na-Bon District Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional research analyzed the correlation between personal characteristics and the need and access to primary dental health services among social-bound senior citizens in Na Bon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Data were collected from 358 socially bound elderlies between August and December 2021, using interviewing and oral health investigation. The content validity of the research instrument was 0.67-1.00, and the reliability value was 0.84. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square test.

Results indicated the followings: 1) The more than half of respondents were females (63.6%), 49.4% was between 60-69 years old, 85.2% had elementary education level, 91.9% lived with their family or relatives, 49.70% engaged in agriculture, and 54.57% reported no congenital diseases, 80.73% had never smoked, 87.99% had never drunk, 74.02% had never chewed betel nut, 79.33% was under Universal Health Coverage (UC) scheme, and 91.06% had no oral cancer risk factors. 2) more than half (65.64%) traveled to a community health centre with a cousin or family, and 21.33 % of oral healthcare access barrier was distance. 3) The overall need for oral health services was at a low level (40.5%), and 48.0% was at a medium level. The factors correlated to the need for primary oral health services were living status, occupation, and health security scheme, whilst the access to oral healthcare correlated with occupation smoking history, alcohol consumption, and betel nut chewing and tobacco smoking, with statistically significant.