Journal List > J Korean Acad Oral Health > v.42(4) > 1122278

Choi and Jung: Factors affecting regional disparities in the number of teeth sealed with pit and fissure sealants: information for the National Health Insurance

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to interpret regional disparities in the number of teeth sealed with pit and fissure sealants, identify the factors that affect these disparities and find solutions for the same.

Methods

Data were collected from the National Health Insurance Service and Korean statistical information service using metropolis-city-rural area dental health infrastructure variables, regional health behavior variables, and local finance-related variables.

Results

In 2015, the number of teeth sealed with pit and fissure sealants per 100 people was higher in the metropolis or city than in the rural area. There was a positive correlation between the number of teeth sealed with pit and fissure sealants and the number of dentists, dental hygienists, dental institutions, standardization rate of subjective awareness of well-being, standardization rate of brushing after lunch, and the proportion of welfare budget in the general budget. There was a negative correlation with the annual standardization rate of health institution use, the standardization rate of unused medical services, and the local government's financial independence. According to the final model of the multiple regression analysis, while the impact of infrastructure on dentistry was not statistically significant, the statistical significance of standardization rate of brushing after lunch, the local government's financial independence, and the proportion of welfare budget in the general budget were maintained.

Conclusions

To reduce regional disparities in the volume of use of pit and fissure sealants, it was concluded that it may be effective to select regions with a consideration of the level of regional economic power, implement separate and appropriate policies and projects, and improve the awareness in residents.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
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Table 1

The community-level variables in this study

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*Number of pit and fissure sealant/Number of resident registration population of 5–18 year olds×100.

Number of dentists×10,000/Number of resident registration population.

Number of dental hygienists×10,000/Number of resident registration population.

§Number of dental institution×10,000/Number of resident registration population.

Table 2
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*Mean (S.D.): 22.1 (7.1), Min.: 7.3, Max.: 37.9.

Table 3

Descriptive statistics of community-level variables (N=228)

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Table 4

Correlations between community-level related variables and pit and fissure sealant using rate

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*by Pearson correlation test or Spearman's rank correlation test.

P<0.001.

Table 5

Results from multiple regression model of number of pit and fissure sealant per 100 population of community level, 2015

jkaoh-42-145-i005

NSP>0.05, *P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001.

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