IADR Abstract Archives
Early Socioeconomic Disadvantage Predicts Less Dental Care Utilization in Adolescence
Objectives: To assess the effect of early socioeconomic disadvantage on dental care utilization and perceived oral health in adolescence.
Methods: Secondary analysis of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children dataset using structural equation modeling of Andersen's behavioural model of heath service utilization. Family socioeconomic disadvantage (predisposing factor) was assessed from pregnancy to 2y9m. All other variables were self-reported at 17 years. Enabling factors included dental anxiety using the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale and whether the adolescent received any advice on oral health. Perceived dental need was assessed on an ordinal scale. Regular dental care utilization assessed the time and reason for the last dental visit. Self-rated oral health was assessed on 5 point-scale (very poor, poor, fair, good, very good) as was satisfaction with oral health (not at all satisfied, reasonably satisfied, satisfied, very satisfied, fully satisfied).
Results: Data were analysed for 2468 adolescents who completed the dental questionnaire. The model showed a good fit (RMSEA=0.05, CFI=0.983, TLI=0.974, SRMR=0.29). Adolescents who experienced socioeconomic disadvantage early in life, were less likely to receive dental advice, were more dentally anxious, had higher perceived dental need and were less likely to visit the dentist regularly. Those who received previous oral health advice or were anxious were more likely to perceive their dental treatment need as high and their oral health as poor. High perceived need for dental treatment predicted less regular dental care utilization and poor perceived oral health. Regular dental care was associated with better perceived oral health.
Conclusions: The results support associations between early life influences and oral health behavior later in life. Addressing underlying social inequalities and ensuring universal access to oral health care services are potential ways to reduce oral health inequalities.
Methods: Secondary analysis of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children dataset using structural equation modeling of Andersen's behavioural model of heath service utilization. Family socioeconomic disadvantage (predisposing factor) was assessed from pregnancy to 2y9m. All other variables were self-reported at 17 years. Enabling factors included dental anxiety using the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale and whether the adolescent received any advice on oral health. Perceived dental need was assessed on an ordinal scale. Regular dental care utilization assessed the time and reason for the last dental visit. Self-rated oral health was assessed on 5 point-scale (very poor, poor, fair, good, very good) as was satisfaction with oral health (not at all satisfied, reasonably satisfied, satisfied, very satisfied, fully satisfied).
Results: Data were analysed for 2468 adolescents who completed the dental questionnaire. The model showed a good fit (RMSEA=0.05, CFI=0.983, TLI=0.974, SRMR=0.29). Adolescents who experienced socioeconomic disadvantage early in life, were less likely to receive dental advice, were more dentally anxious, had higher perceived dental need and were less likely to visit the dentist regularly. Those who received previous oral health advice or were anxious were more likely to perceive their dental treatment need as high and their oral health as poor. High perceived need for dental treatment predicted less regular dental care utilization and poor perceived oral health. Regular dental care was associated with better perceived oral health.
Conclusions: The results support associations between early life influences and oral health behavior later in life. Addressing underlying social inequalities and ensuring universal access to oral health care services are potential ways to reduce oral health inequalities.