Objectives: To determine the rates and determinants of utilization for dentate and edentulous older adults dwelling independently in Manitoba, Canada. Methods: Data in this study were derived from the Manitoba Study of Health and Aging. This cross-sectional study sampled independently living adults aged 65 years and over. A personal interview included over 240 questions addressing socio-demographics, physical, psychological and psychosocial well-being, oral and general health, and service utilization. Results: The 1,751 subjects who agreed to participate in the study had a mean age of 72.6 yrs (SD 7.1) with 58.5% female and 72.7% edentulous. Only 383 subjects (21.9%) reported having visited the dentist in the past year. The visitation rate for dentate subjects was significantly higher (P<0.001) than that of edentulous subjects at 36.2% and 16.3%, respectively. Bivariate analysis showed statistically significant (P<0.05) association between visitation and 15 variables for edentulous subjects and 18 variables for dentate subjects. On multiple logistic regression analysis, significant independent effects were found for 5 variables for each group. Education level and frequent professional service use were predictors of visitation for both dentate and edentulous subjects. Unique predictors of visitation for dentate subjects included relationship of the main supporting person, restrictions to activities of daily living, and the region of residence. Unique predictors of visitation for edentulous subjects included income, having dental problems, and the duration of having dentures. Conclusion: Dental visitation rates were over twice as high for dentate when compared to edentulous subjects. Visitation of dentate subjects was associated mostly with socio-demographic rather than dentally-related variables. Visitation for edentulous subjects was associated with both socio-demographic and dentally-related variables. Knowledge of the variables associated with visitation will be important in planning future strategies to address the oral health needs of older adults. This research was funded by Manitoba Health and Health Canada.

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