Factors associated with unmet dental care needs among adults: an analysis of the 2024 Korea Community Health Survey

Objectives : To identify sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors associated with unmet dental care needs among Korean adults and to comprehensively analyze their effects on the experience of unmet dental care. Methods: Data from the 2024 Korea Community Health Survey were used, and 197,558 participants were included. The dependent variable was the experience of unmet dental care. Ten general and seven health-related characteristics were examined using complex sample analyses. Results: The likelihood of experiencing unmet dental care needs was higher among women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.225), individuals living in single-person households (aOR = 1.166), individuals who had received National Basic Livelihood Security benefits (aOR = 1.429), individuals with poor self-rated oral health (aOR = 5.456), individuals with no history of dental scaling (aOR = 4.455), individuals with unmet general healthcare needs (aOR = 5.511), individuals with high perceived stress (aOR = 1.347), and individuals who had experienced depressive symptoms (aOR = 1.397). Lack of time was the most commonly reported reason (41.8%). Conclusions: Unmet dental care needs were associated with sociodemographic, socioeconomic, oral health, and mental health factors. Policies should improve access to dental care for vulnerable cohorts, address time barriers, and promote timely care.