earticle

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Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the perception of dental implant insurance supply and demand for the elderly living in Hongseong-gun and Chungcheongnam-do, as well as the selection criteria regarding dental clinics for dental implant treatment to collect basic data for improving the oral health of the elderly population. Methods: Participants living in Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do who were at least 55 years old from November 2020 to March 2021 were included in this study. The chi-square test was performed to examine the age-specific perception of insurance-covered dental implants (p<0.05). Results: The age group that was the most interested in implants was the 70s age group, and the difference between this age group and the other age groups was statistically significant. Those in their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s or older paid about 600,000 won including dental implants covered by insurance, and there was a significant difference (p<0.05). Those in their 60s, 70s, and 80s estimated the highest value of implants covered by insurance as two and showed a significant difference (p<0.05). The awareness of the dental implant insurance by age showed that all age groups, except for the ≥90 years age group, considered the insurance to be mediocre mostly due to the large co-payment (p<0.05). Conclusion: There were differences by age in the awareness of dental implant insurance, co-payments, number of applications, and insurance coverage. The perceptions on dental implant insurance by age showed that all age groups except for those over 90 years and older, they considered the insurance was just mediocre the most.