The relationship of aging, complete tooth loss, and having a dental visit in the last 12 months

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the extent to which dental health care visits in the past year differed among older adults with and without edentulism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a cross‐sectional study using the 2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey among participants aged ≥50 years (n = 10,480, weighted = 112,116,641). Two self‐reported outcome variables were used: loss of all teeth from upper and lower jaws (yes/no) and dental visit in the last 12 months (yes/no). Logistic models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Overall, 11.4% of the non‐institutionalized U.S. population aged ≥50 years were edentulous; the prevalence was higher in those with advanced age. Adherence to annual oral health visits was 16% among those with edentulism, 52% among those without. The prevalence of dental care visits in the past year was higher among those with advanced age without edentulism, but for those with edentulism, the odds of visiting a dental care provider was lower in all age groups compared to those 50–59 years ((60–69 years): aOR: 0.58, CI:0.36–0.95; (70–79 years): aOR: 0.51, CI: 0.30–0.88; (≥ 80 years): aOR: 0.45, CI: 0.26–0.80)). CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of edentulism was higher in those with advanced age, oral health visits during the last 12 months were less frequent in older adults with edentulism. Interventions to improve adherence to dental care recommendations in the growing aging population are warranted.