Factors Influencing Decision on Using Dental Service of Elderly People at Geriatric Clinic, Phan Hospital, Chiangrai Province.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the factors influencing decision on using dental service of elderly people at the Geriatric Clinic, Phan hospital.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 160 elderly people aged 60 years and above, including homebound and socially active individuals, who were screened for geriatric syndromes at the Geriatric Clinic of [hospital name withheld]. Data were collected using a structured interview questionnaire based on the conceptual integration of Jaturongkakul’s consumer decision-making model and the dental service utilization model by Davidson and Andersen. The data collection was conducted between October 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentage, mean, median, and standard deviation were used. Inferential statistics included Chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact tests for association analysis. In addition, the factors influencing the decision on using dental service of elderly people were analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis.

Results: The study found that after controlling for various factors, the factors that significantly influenced the decision on using dental service of elderly people were statistically significant at the 0.05 level. These included marital status (OR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.05–6.77), financial burden (OR=3.05, 95% CI: 1.21–7.69), perceived need for dental care (OR=7.60, 95% CI: 2.89–19.95), perception of available dental service (OR=3.38, 95% CI: 1.25–9.11), influence of dental personnel (OR=2.62, 95% CI: 1.02–6.74), and perceived barriers to dental care (OR=3.74, 95% CI: 1.06–11.36). These factors can explain 52.2% of the likelihood of elderly people decision on using dental care.

Conclusion: Key factors influencing decision on using dental service of elderly people at the Geriatric Clinic of [hospital name withheld] included marital status, financial burden, perceived need for dental care, perception of available dental service, influence from dental personnel, and perceived barriers to care. The researcher recommends that dental personnel take a proactive approach by providing information that raises awareness of the necessity of using dental service among elderly people and by promoting dental service to ensure that elderly people are informed, thereby increasing their decision to using dental service.