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Observational Study
. 2025 Feb 12;20(2):e0316651.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316651. eCollection 2025.

Factors associated with the use of dental services in older adults in Peru

Bryan Alexis Cossio-Alva  1 , Rubén Espinoza Rojas  2 , Miguel Angel Ruiz-Barrueto  1 , Giancarlo Becerra Atoche  1 , Christian R Mejia  3 , Ibraín Enrique Corrales-Reyes  4
Affiliations
Observational Study

Factors associated with the use of dental services in older adults in Peru

Bryan Alexis Cossio-Alva et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: The use of dental services by older adults in Peru faces various challenges that impact both their oral and overall health. Several factors play a crucial role in obtaining adequate dental care.

Aims: To evaluate the factors associated with the use of dental services in older adults in Peru.

Methods: This study was an observational, analytical, and cross-sectional investigation that utilized data from multiple years (2018-2022) of the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES, by its Spanish acronym). The use of dental services was assessed through a specific survey question and analyzed in association with various socio-demographic variables, employing both descriptive and analytical statistical methods.

Results: In the multivariable analysis, the likelihood of not utilizing dental services was higher among men aPR: 1.53 (95% CI: 1.45-1.61), those without health insurance aPR: 1.44 (95% CI: 1.36-1.53), those who self-identified as other races aPR: 1.22 (95% CI: 1.13-1.33), Afro-descendants aPR: 1.10 (95% CI: 1.01-1.19), whites aPR: 1.12 (95% CI: 1.01-1.25) according to education level, those with a physical limitation aPR: 1.24 (95% CI: 1.15-1.33), and increased as they were poorer; it was lower among the rich but more pronounced among the middle-income, poor, and very poor, adjusted for five variables.

Conclusion: It was reported that 15% of older adults did not use dental services, and this was associated with significant socio-demographic variables.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Departmental percentages of dental service use among older adults in Peru.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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