Use of dental services among Danish youths: role of the social environment, the individual, and the delivery system

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the separate effect and the total effect of the social environment, the individual and the delivery system on frequency of use of dental services among youths. The variables of use were divided into the three main groups according to Coleman (12). Information concerning use of dental services, individual and structural variables was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire to 756 Danes 20-21 yr old in 1984-85. Information concerning social environmental variables was obtained by a postal questionnaire to the mothers of the individuals in 1974 (16). Information from 552 mothers was available. Firstly, the variables concerning the social environment were inserted into a multiple dummy regression analysis as independent variables, and it was found that the following characteristics of the mothers were significant predictors: regularity of dental visits and perceived economic barriers. Secondly, the variables concerning the individual resources were set into a multiple dummy regression model as independent variables. The results showed that the following variables had a significant effect: sex, social conditions, pain tolerance, dental anxiety, and perceived economic barriers. Thirdly, multiple dummy regression analysis showed that among the structural variables general assessment of Child Dental Care compared to Youth Dental Care, and a personality assessment of the general dental practitioner were significant predictors. Finally the predictors from the three main groups all together were inserted as independent dummy variables into a regression model. The results showed that sex, social conditions, pain tolerance, dental anxiety, perceived economic barriers of the youth themselves, general assessment of Child Dental Care compared to Youth Dental Care were significant predictors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)