Research Division, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, Riverdale, NY 10471, USA.
Gerodontology. 2011 Mar;28(1):12-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-2358.2009.00335.x.
To examine oral service utilisation in a probability sample of community-residing Latino elders.
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.
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.
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.
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.
调查居住在社区的拉丁裔老年人中口腔服务的利用情况。
鉴于老年拉丁裔人合并症的发病率较高，而牙科服务利用率较低，他们可能面临更大的口腔疾病风险。
2001-2002 年期间，在纽约市对随机抽取的拉丁裔（主要是波多黎各裔）老年人（n = 205；平均年龄 = 75.8；SD ± 5.3）进行了一项患病率调查。从医疗保险和医疗补助服务受益人磁带文件中抽取系统随机样本。获取当前使用口腔卫生服务和自我报告的健康状况。评估功能和认知障碍。
不到一半的样本报告在过去一年中有过牙科就诊。上次牙科就诊的平均时间为 54 个月（SD ± 84.5）。去年进行过牙科就诊的人更有可能未婚、独居、教育程度更高、健康状况更少、日常生活活动的障碍更少。在多变量分析中，以问题为导向的行为、医疗补助受益人、教育、独居、慢性健康状况和行动能力障碍解释了“上次牙科就诊时间”差异的 14%。
鉴于社会人口统计学和功能水平的决定因素似乎会影响牙科就诊的频率，因此需要采用多层面的方法来促进口腔健康。
