Correlates of dental visits among community-residing Latino elders: A public health alert

Objectives: To examine oral service utilisation in a probability sample of community-residing Latino elders. Background: Older Latinos are at a potential increased risk of oral diseases, given their higher prevalence of co-morbidities and lower rate of dental service utilisation. Methods: A prevalence survey was conducted among a random sample of Latino (largely Puerto Rican) elders (n = 205; mean age = 75.8; SD ± 5.3) in New York City during 2001-2002. A systematic random sample was drawn from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Beneficiary tape files. Current use of oral health services and self-reported health conditions was obtained. Functional and cognitive impairment were assessed. Results: Less than half of the sample reported a dental visit in the previous year. The average time since the last dental visit was 54 months (SD ± 84.5). Last year dental visit compliers were more likely to be unmarried, living alone, with higher levels of education, fewer health conditions and less impairment with activities of daily living. In multivariate analyses, problem-oriented behaviour, Medicaid beneficiary, education, living alone, chronic health conditions and mobility impairment explained 14% of the 'time since last dental visit' variance. Conclusions: Given that socio-demographic and level of functioning determinants appear to influence the frequency of dental visits, a multilevel approach to oral health promotion is imperative.