Abstract
Background: Regular preventive dental checkups are key to maintaining both oral health and overall health. Checkups not only help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer, but they also help avoid the pain and costs that dental problems can bring with them. This study aimed to estimate the effect of gender, insurance, and education level on the use of dental care services.
Subjects and method: This meta-analysis was conducted based on the PRISMA flow diagram and the PICO research question. Population: General. Intervention: Women, with insurance, and higher education. Comparison: Male, without insurance, lower education. Outcome: Use of dental examination services. The articles were searched from databases Google Scholar, Elsevier, PubMed, and Springer Link published from 2012 to 2023. Keywords used “Women” OR “Gender” AND “Insurance” AND “Education” AND “Dental Care” AND “Cross-sectional”. The inclusion criteria were full text, cross-sectional design, and reported adjusted odds ratio (aOR). The articles were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3.
Results: The meta-analysis included 11 cross-sectional studies from Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Iran, Germany, the United States, and Canada. The total sample size was 210,519 people. The use of dental examination services increased among women (aOR=1.33; 95% CI= 1.15 to 1.55; p<0.001), with insurance (aOR=1.37; 95% CI= 0.92 to 2.05; p=0.12), and higher education (aOR=1.71; 95% CI= 1.21 to 2.42; p=0.002).
Conclusion: The use of dental examination services increases among women, with insurance, and higher education.
Keywords: women, insurance, education, dental examination
Correspondence:
Qumara Wilda Khulwani. Master’s Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami No. 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia. Email: qumarawilda13@gmail.com. Mobile: +6281228338430.
Article Data
