BASE DE DATOS-ENDES.sav

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.<b> </b>To evaluate the factors associated with the use of dental services in older adults in Peru.<b> </b>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.<b> </b>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.<b> </b>It was reported that 15% of older adults did not use dental services, and this was associated with significant socio-demographic variables.