Oral Health and the Demand for Dental Care

An introduction to the issue. Full article (PDF).

The Demand for Dental Care and Financial Barriers in Accessing Needed Care Among Adults in California

Using economic models of the demand for dental care, the authors find that receiving dental care is positively related to having dental insurance, being female, increasing age, being white, Hispanic or Asian, higher levels of education, higher levels of family income, better health status, and being unmarried. Full article (PDF).

The Effect of Functional Limitations on the Demand for Dental Care Among Adults 65 and Older

In 2003, approximately 106,000 elderly women living in California communities experienced two or more limitations in activities of daily living and were thus 40 percent less likely to access dental care relative to elderly women with fewer limitations. Full article (PDF).

The Oral Health Status of Adults 65 and Older in California: 1995-2006

In 2006, approximately 75 percent of older adults were missing one or more teeth due to disease. Those who are older, black, less educated, have low family income, or are current or former smokers are more likely to be missing teeth. The authors present their findings in this article. Full article (PDF).

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