title: The potential oral health impact of cost barriers to dental care: findings from a Canadian population-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prior to the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey, there was no nationally representative clinical data on the oral health of Canadians experiencing cost barriers to dental care. The aim of this study was to determine the oral health status and dental treatment needs of Canadians reporting cost barriers to dental care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A secondary data analysis of the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey was undertaken using a sample of 5,586 Canadians aged 6 to 79. Chi square tests were conducted to test the association between reporting cost barriers to care and oral health outcomes. Logistic regressions were conducted to identify predictors of reporting cost barriers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals who reported cost barriers to dental care had poorer oral health and more treatment needs compared to their counterparts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Avoiding dental care and/or foregoing recommended treatment because of cost may contribute to poor oral health. This study substantiates the potential likelihood of progressive dental problems caused by an inability to treat existing conditions due to financial barriers.
authors: Discipline of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. brandy.thompson@mail.utoronto.ca.
authors: Brandy
authors: B
authors: Thompson
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Cooney
authors: Herenia
authors: H
authors: Lawrence
authors: Vahid
authors: V
authors: Ravaghi
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Quiñonez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007347:Insurance, Dental; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009909:Oral Health; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult