치과진료 요구와 정신건강의 상관관계: 제7회 국민건강영양조사 자료 활용

Abstract

This study utilizes the data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (data from 2016-2017) to understand the relationship between unmet dental care needs and mental health to suggest policies to reduce proportions of unmet dental care needs, stress, and suicide rates. The analysis was conducted using data from 9,294 respondents from a total of 16,277 respondents. Unmet dental care needs were surveyed using a self-reported questionnaire on requiring, but failing to receive, dental care; the data were analyzed using a chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis of the survey. Individuals who had unmet dental care needs had 1.56 times higher perceived stress (OR: 1.56, CI: 1.282-1.893, p<0.001) and 2.11 times higher risk of suicidal ideation (OR: 2.11, CI: 1.296-3.431, p=0.003) compared to those who did not have unmet dental care needs. Because it was implemented through secondary data analysis, it was not possible to add correction variables other than those presented in the raw data. There was a close relationship between unmet dental care needs and mental health. Therefore, to reduce perceived stress and risk of suicidal ideation, policy measures that reduce unmet dental care needs are necessary.