Dental Services Utilization by over 65 Years Old in Israel in 2020

Abstract

To understand dental service utilization in the over-65 age group and to identify the main patterns and barriers to uptake of dental care after the 2019 expansion under the National Health Insurance Law to include dental benefits for the over-75 age group. Phone interviews with a random sample of 512 people over the age of 65 were conducted between February and April 2020. About half had visited a dentist during the previous year (an average of 2.9 visits) while 17% reported they had never visited one. Dental service utilization was lower among those living in the periphery, non-Jews and those who had difficulties covering their monthly expenses. Treatment cost was the main barrier to dental treatment, especially for those with difficulties in covering their monthly expenses. Despite the inclusion of dental treatment for people over the age of 75 in February 2019, the majority of respondents were unaware of this reform, thus the potential of the over-75 age group in lowering the cost barrier has not fully materialized.