Factors influencing perceived need for dental care by active duty U.S. military personnel.

This study explores factors that influence perceived need for dental care among active duty U.S. military personnel. The data were collected on a prestratified random sample of 12,950 (76% response rate) service members between April 1994 and January 1995. Participants received a comprehensive oral examination from a dentist and answered queries concerning perceived need on self-administered questionnaires. Using bivariate and logistic regression analyses, we examined the association between demographic and clinical measures and perceived need for dental care. Bivariate results show that half of all U.S. military personnel perceive a need for dental care, with statistically significant differences across race, rank, education, branch of service, dental health class, and dental utilization. Logistic regression results show that the likelihood of perceived need is influenced by age, race, rank, branch of service, dental disease, dental health class, and dental utilization. Extensive dental decay is the strongest predictor of perceived need in this population.