Does social support predict increased use of dental services in older men?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Past research on social support and dental visits in older people has been limited by cross-sectional design, limited social support dimensions and non-representative samples.

Methods

Data came from men with natural teeth completing Waves 3 and 4 of the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project in Sydney, Australia. The relationship between social support at Wave 3 (2011-2012) and at least one dental visit per year at Wave 4 (2014-2016) was examined by Poisson regression. Social support was measured by structural (marital status, living arrangements, family support and social interaction) and functional (social support satisfaction) domains.

Results

About 673 men were analysed. Structural and functional social support were not associated with the pattern of

SUBMITTER: Shu CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9790329 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature