title: Patterns of dental services and factors that influence dental services among 64-65-year-old regular users of dental care in Denmark.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the pattern of dental services provided to 64-65-year-old Danes who are regular users of dental care over a 5-year period, to analyse whether this pattern is associated with socio-demographic and/or socioeconomic factors, and if different uses of dental services are related to dental status and caries experience. Finally, to discuss the future planning of dental services aimed at the increasing population of elderly citizens. [Correction made on 21 March 2014, after first online publication: The sentence 'Data on elderly's dental service are scarce, although increased use is seen and more teeth are present in this age group.' was removed.]
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of all aged 64-65 (n = 37 234) who received a dental examination in 2009 was conducted. Clinical data comprised dental services received under the National Health Insurance reimbursement scheme, dental status and DMFT. Geographical, socio-demographic and socioeconomic data derived from public registers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost all received restorations, while periodontal treatment was received by <50% during 5 years. Heavy use of dental services was dominated by periodontal services. Periodontal services were most prevalent in the capital and the most affluent areas. Relatively more extractions were related to low income and persons in least affluent areas. Total number of services was highest among women, persons with ≥20 teeth, persons living in the capital, and where the ratio user per dentist was low.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For future planning of dental care for elderly, dental status, geographical and social area-based factors and to some degree gender, income, and education must be taken into consideration as all these factors seem to influence the future demand for dental services.
authors.affiliation: Department for Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lisa B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.affiliation: Department for Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kasper
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rosing
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Susanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lempert
authors.affiliation: Department for Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Department of Special Care Dentistry, City of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Børge
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hede
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011203:Poverty; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health
keywords: caries; dental care; elderly; gerodontology; treatment need; utilisation.