The role of intergenerational support in shaping oral healthcare-seeking behavior among older adults in China

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore how intergenerational support affects the oral healthcare or treatment-seeking behaviors of older Chinese adults and provide evidence for improving the oral health of the older adults in an aging society. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional survey, the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, were used to explore the relationship between oral healthcare-seeking behavior in older adults and various independent variables, such as marital status, number of children, offspring’s education duration, parent–offspring interaction frequency, and financial/material support provided by children. The chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used. RESULTS: According to the results of data analysis, age, sex, marital status, cohabitation status, number of children, children’s education level, and financial support from children affected older adults’ oral healthcare-seeking behavior. Interviewees living with a partner and those who had 1–2 or 3–4 children showed different likelihoods of seeking oral healthcare. Moreover, interviewees whose children had higher education duration and those who received more financial/material support from their children were more likely to seek dental treatment. CONCLUSION: Regarding the study’s outcome, financial and emotional support, as well as practical assistance from family members can significantly promote oral health-seeking behavior among older adult people. Intergenerational support can serve as a crucial mechanism for promoting oral health behaviors among the older adults or act as a valuable complement to social medical assistance, warranting increased attention.