June 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of specific components of Andersen’s behavioural model on adult individuals’ perceived oral treatment need. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to a randomly selected sample of 9,690 individuals, 20 to 89 years old, living in Skåne, Sweden. The 58 questions, some with follow-up questions, were answered by 6,123 individuals; a 63% response rate. Selected for inclusion in the multivariate logistic regression analysis were those questions relating to Andersen’s behavioural model, phase five. Responses to “How do you rate your oral treatment need today?” were used as a dependent variable. The 62 questions chosen as independent variables represented the components: individual characteristics, health behaviour and outcomes in the model. Results: Of the independent variables, 24 were significant at the p≤0.05 level. Low educational level, previously unmet perceived oral treatment need, frequent visiting pattern, perception of worse oral health than one’s peers, an external locus of control, and to have received information from one’s dental caregiver about a need for oral treatment were all highly significant (p<0.001) variables correlating with high self-perceived oral treatment need. Conclusion: The Andersen behavioural model can be a useful theoretical tool for the study of perceived oral treatment need. Key words: self-assessment, needs and demand, health services, perceived need