Dental visits among people over 65; a study in a general dental clinic in Drenthe, the Netherlands

In this study, factors that may influence the dental visiting patterns of people over 65 living independently were investigated. The results of a questionnaire (n = 164; 53% response) revealed that 89% of them regularly visited the dentist for a check-up. Factors affecting dental visits were: whether or not one had difficulty planning a visit, whether or not one was motivated to make an appointment and actually made one, the condition of one's teeth; whether or not one had dental insurance and whether or not one reacted to a dental reminder (post)card. Mobility played no greater role among non-regular dental visitors than among regular visitors. Anticipating the possibility of an older patient living independently might fail to show by means of an active call policy seems more relevant than organising transport.