Changes in factors affecting dental care use among older adults in Korea: KNHANES 2013-2022

Objectives: Unmet dental care needs are a major cause of oral health deterioration among older adults. This study aimed to explore ways to improve access to dental care by comparing trends in unmet dental care needs over several years. Methods: Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), we identified factors related to unmet dental care at each survey point from the 2013-2022, with a four-year interval. The study participants for the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth waves were 1,375, 1,632, 1,735, and 1,666 older adults, respectively. Results: From 2013–2022, unmet dental care showed statistically significant differences according to sex (p<0.05), health checkups (p<0.05), and chewing discomfort (p<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that chewing discomfort was a statistically significant (p<0.001) factor influencing unmet dental care needs over the past decade. Conclusions: The study findings indicated that chewing discomfort has consistently influenced unmet dental care, and comprehensive measures to improve access to dental care for the older population are needed.