Factors related to receipt of dental care in Eastern Iowa nursing facilities.

OBJECTIVE: To assess factors related to nursing facility residents' receipt of dental treatment when it was offered on site. METHODS: Screening forms that included demographic, general, and dental health information were obtained from residents of 10 nursing facilities in Eastern Iowa, and their dental procedure history for up to 7 years after screening was recorded. Residents were grouped as having received either no procedures; diagnostic procedures only; or nondiagnostic procedures. RESULTS: Of the 586 residents, the mean age was 83.8 years at screening and 31.3% were edentulous. The odds of receiving nondiagnostic procedures were lower among residents who were older (OR = 0.98, 95%CI 0.96-0.99) or edentulous (OR = 0.31, 95%CI 0.20-0.46), compared to those who received no dental procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Those who were older or edentulous had lower odds of receiving nondiagnostic dental procedures. Well-designed prospective cohort studies are needed to better evaluate barriers to receipt of dental treatment among the institutionalized elderly.