The effect of education on dental service utilization patterns in different sectors: A multiple mediation analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate how education level affects dental service utilization patterns in the Australian adult population. This study tested how education level mediated these service patterns through behavioural mediators such as smoking, tooth brushing and oral health status and investigated these mediation effects in different dental service providers.

Method

Following the flexible mediation approach, the direct and indirect effects of education through behavioural mediators on dental service utilization patterns (time of last dental visit, reason for last dental visit and frequency of seeking dental care) were calculated for the South Australian population from the Dental Care and Oral Health Study.

Results

Participants with lower educa

SUBMITTER: Ghanbarzadegan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10946604 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature