ABSTRACT
Objectives: To assess the relationship between insurance status and type of service
received among dentate adults in a developing oral health care system. Methods: A
cross-sectional survey based on phone interviews in Tehran, Iran. Four trained interviewers
collected data using a structured questionnaire. Of 1,531 subjects answering the phone
call, 224 were <18 years; of the remaining 1,307, 221 (17%) refused to participate,
and 85 (6%) were excluded as edentate or reporting no dental visit, leaving 1,001
eligible subjects in the sample. The questionnaire covered insurance status, socio-demographics,
frequency of tooth brushing, dental attendance as reasons for, and time since last
dental visit, and dental service received then. Data analysis included the chi-square
test and logistic regression. Results: Of the subjects, 71% had a dental insurance.
Those with no insurance were more likely to report tooth extractions (OR=1.5) than
those with an insurance coverage; for all other treatments no differences according
to the insurance status appeared. Among the insured subjects, extractions were more
likely for those reporting a problem-based dental visit (OR=6.0) or having a low level
of education (OR=2.3). Conclusions: In Iran, with its developing oral health care
system, dental insurance had only a minor impact on dental services reported. (Eur
J Dent 2011;5:68-76)
Key words:
Adults' dental care - Dental services - Dental insurance