Gender differences in the relationship between personality, cognitive function and regular dental visits in Japanese community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVES

Studies have examined the association between personality and health behaviour, but research focusing exclusively on regular dental visits has yet to be conducted. This study examined the association between personality traits and regular dental visits among Japanese community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

The participants in this cross-sectional study included 1,057 community-dwelling older adults aged 65-74 years from Ranzan and Yoshimi towns; data were collected from October to November 2015 and October to November 2016, respectively. Interviews were conducted to obtain sociodemographic, income, occupation and medical data. The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence was used to assess higher-level competence; general intelligence was also evaluated. The 'Big Five' personality traits-openness to experience, consciousness, neuroticism, extraversion and agreeableness-were also examined. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between regular dental visits and personality traits.

RESULTS

Among men, the number of natural teeth, current employment status and conscientiousness were associated with dental care utilization. Among women, the number of natural teeth, current annual income, the intellectual activity domain of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence and openness were significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The factors associated with regular dental visits differed by gender. Overall, work was associated with men's visits, whereas intellectual activity and economic factors were relevant to women. Factors such as personality traits should be considered when addressing barriers to oral health. Understanding personality traits will help practitioners more effectively encourage older adults to make dental visits.