Oral health and utilization of dental services among elderly immigrants residing in Norway: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Immigrants represent 20.8% of Norway’s population, with 22.2% aged 50+. This study aimed to examine dental service utilization (DSU) and its associated factors among elderly immigrants aged 50 or older in Bergen. Methods Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Participants were recruited through community organizations and immigrant networks in Bergen using a convenience sampling method. Andersen’s Behavioral Model guided the analysis, with DSU in the past five years as the dependent variable. Independent variables included predisposing, enabling, and need-based factors, as well as health status, health behaviors, and psychological factors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Of the 185 invited participants, 174 completed the survey, resulting in a 94.3% response rate. The primary outcome variable was DSU within the past 5 years, categorized as regular or irregular attendance. Approximately 37% reported irregular dental attendance during this period. Overall, 70.3% reported visiting a dentist for dental treatment, and about 80.8% cited financial barriers to care. Participants with broader social networks and the ability to contact dentists when needed had twice the odds of regular attendance, and both factors were significantly associated with the use of dental services in the last five years in both unadjusted and adjusted models (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 0.99–4.11, p = 0.05, and aOR = 1.93, 95% CI: 0.98–3.85, p = 0.05), and (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.07–4.62, p = 0.023, and aOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 0.99–4.09, p = 0.05), respectively. The positive association between flossing and regular visits (OR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.01–4.03, p = 0.039) was attenuated after adjustment. Conclusion DSU among elderly immigrants was associated with psychosocial, behavioral, and service factors. Regular dental visits were associated with broader social networks, preventive behaviors, and perceived access to dental services. These findings underscore the importance of improving access to services, promoting preventive care, and utilizing social support to enhance DSU and oral health among older immigrants.