title: A qualitative assessment of dental care access and utilization among the older adult population in the United States.
abstract: This article presents an in-depth, qualitative assessment of the needs, issues, opportunities, and barriers concerning dental access and availability of oral care among older Americans. For the rapidly aging U.S. population, access and barriers to the provision of dental services were evaluated. The nature and types of services utilized by various segments of this population were examined and the attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of dental professionals regarding the delivery of services were analyzed. From this research, potential opportunities for strategic partnerships between organized dentistry and industry were developed. These collaborative partnerships will seek to improve access to oral health care for the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population.
authors.affiliation: Boston Healthcare Associates, Inc, USA.
authors.forename: Anna A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Robbertz
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lauf
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005850:Geriatric Dentistry / Q000193:education; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007347:Insurance, Dental; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012953:Societies, Dental; D014481:United States