IADR Abstract Archives
Factors Affecting The Use of Dental Service Utilisation among Older Singaporeans – A Qualitative Study
Objectives: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to qualitatively assess factors which shape the attitude of the older population towards dental service utilization in Singapore.
Methods: A qualitative approach was utilised to explore the factors related to older people’s perceptions about oral health and dental service utilization. This involved semi-structured individual interviews with 26 participants above 65 years of age recruited from a teaching hospital and polyclinics in Singapore. The duration of each interview was 15-20 minutes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and the transcripts were analyzed thematically using qualitative methodology.
Results: Pertinent themes emerged related to four major areas: (a) general awareness towards oral health, (b) oral health life-course, (c) fear, anxiety regarding dental visits and relationships with dentists (d) availability of subsidised dental care plan.
Conclusions: Our study provided important insight regarding oral health perceptions and beliefs of older people residing in the community which may affect their dental service utilization. This further highlights the importance of understanding the concerns of this group when implementing healthcare policies for elderly in Singapore.
Methods: A qualitative approach was utilised to explore the factors related to older people’s perceptions about oral health and dental service utilization. This involved semi-structured individual interviews with 26 participants above 65 years of age recruited from a teaching hospital and polyclinics in Singapore. The duration of each interview was 15-20 minutes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and the transcripts were analyzed thematically using qualitative methodology.
Results: Pertinent themes emerged related to four major areas: (a) general awareness towards oral health, (b) oral health life-course, (c) fear, anxiety regarding dental visits and relationships with dentists (d) availability of subsidised dental care plan.
Conclusions: Our study provided important insight regarding oral health perceptions and beliefs of older people residing in the community which may affect their dental service utilization. This further highlights the importance of understanding the concerns of this group when implementing healthcare policies for elderly in Singapore.