Factors associated with regular dental attendance by aged adults: A systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: To determine factors influencing regular dental attendance in aged adults 65 and over according to Andersen's Behavioural Model. Background: Regular attendance for dental visits is vital to improve and maintain oral health, quality of life and general well-being. Aged adults 65 years and older experience barriers to regular dental attendance, which in turn leads to an increased risk for oral diseases. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was undertaken in April 2021 in Cochrane, Embase, Medline, Cinahl, Dentistry & Oral Science Source via EBSCOhost and Embase for papers on factors influencing the frequency of attendance by older people. Risk of bias was assessed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort and case–control studies, and with modified version of this tool for cross-sectional studies. Frequency effect size was calculated for factors described in Andersen's Behavioural Model (predisposing, enabling and needs-related). Results: Twenty-one studies were eligible for inclusion. Factors frequently investigated affecting regular dental attendance included: age, gender, education (predisposing); income, and social support (enabling); and remaining teeth, pain, perceived health (needs-related). Income was the only factors with a 100% positive association with regular dental attendance. Conclusions: This systematic review confirms the complex interconnectedness of several factors and dental attendance in older adults. A number of factors were identified which warrant further investigation to improve access to dental care to socio-economically vulnerable older populations.