First-time dental care and the most recent dental treatment in relation to utilisation of dental services among dentate elderly patients in Lithuania

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the initial dental treatments of Lithuanian dentate elderly patients and the content of the most recent treatment in relation to their dentist-visiting behaviour.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was carried out at two public dental offices in Kédainiai, Lithuania, among dentate patients aged 60+ years. A self-administered questionnaire covered first-time dental care, the most recent dental treatment, check-up behaviour, interval since the most recent dental visit, and number of teeth. Age, gender and education served as background information. Statistical evaluation was by chi-squared test, anova and logistic regression for odds ratio (OR).

Results: In all, 174 dentate elderly responded, mean age being 69.2 (SD = 6.6) years. The mean age at the first visit was 16.3 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 14.9-17.6]. Regular dental check-ups were reported by 30%, and 36% had visited a dentist within the past 12 months. As to the content of the most recent treatment, 78% of the elderly reported filling therapy, 50% endodontics, 48% tooth extraction, 21% radiography, 10% cleaning or scaling and 6% polishing of fillings. Those going for check-ups were more likely to report diagnostic (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-2.8; p = 0.01) and preventive (OR 4.8; 95% CI 2.5-9.0; p = 0.002) treatment when analysed by a logistic regression model, controlling for age, gender, education and number of teeth.

Conclusions: Check-up-orientated utilisation of dental services should be encouraged among the Lithuanian elderly. Dentists and health officials should place greater emphasis on prevention.