Unmet dental care needs of homeless adults in South Korea: Findings from a national survey

This study identifies the key factors underlying the unmet dental care needs of South Korean homeless adults that obstructed their dental service access. We analysed data from 551 Korea Homeless Survey respondents (17 years and older) who reported having an oral disease in the previous 12 months. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses to examine the factors associated with homeless individuals' unmet dental care needs, using weights to make the data nationally representative. Approximately 43% of the homeless people reported having unmet dental care needs. Housing type (living in the street) was significantly associated with an increased odds ratio of unmet dental care needs. However, when social protection programs (housing benefits and Medical Aid [MA]) were included in the model, the statistical significance of the housing type disappeared. Homeless MA recipients were less likely to have unmet needs than those not covered by MA. On the other hand, homeless people who received housing benefits were more likely to receive dental care than people who do not receive these benefits. Consequently, policy makers should develop social protection programs influencing homeless individuals' access to dental care and ensure the sustainable implementation of integrated community-based dental services for homeless adults.