Social capital and regional influences: key predictors of unmet dental care needs among older adults in South Korea

• DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2025025
• Publication Date: 2025-05-09T04:30:56Z
• Authors: Ji-Yeon Lim; Ju-Mi Lee; Hae-Sung Nam

Access to dental services is essential for improving quality of life, and social capital plays a key role in facilitating that access. This study aimed identify individual- regional-level factors, including capital, predict unmet care needs among older adults. We analyzed data from 59,414 adults obtained the 2023 Korea Community Health Survey Korean Statistical Information Service, employing 2-level multilevel model. The dependent variables comprised 3 types needs: overall, due lack acceptability, economic reasons. Twelve independent variables, other individual regional were examined. prevalence was 14.15% 8.70% acceptability reasons, 4.85% Lower associated with higher odds needs, whereas factors demonstrated no significant association. Residing regions fiscal independence ratios related an increased likelihood (odds ratio [OR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 1.52). In contrast, greater density dentists per 10,000 population inversely overall acceptability-related (OR, 0.82 both; CI, 0.73 0.92 0.93, respectively). Individual specific factors-namely, dentists-may represent important determinants Policy interventions at reducing should consider these variables.