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Table 3 Themes related to factors affecting dental service utilization among older Singaporeans using subsidized dental care

From: Factors affecting dental service utilisation among older Singaporeans eligible for subsidized dental care – a qualitative study

Themes

Sub - themes

1) General awareness about oral health

• Awareness of relationship of oral health with general well being

2) Life-course perspective of oral health

• More positive attitudes towards oral health from childhood to old age

3) Barriers to visit dental clinic

• Fear, anxiety and past negative experience with dentist

• Do not perceive need to visit dentist

• Lack of awareness

4) Shaping dental service utilisation behaviours through dental subsidies

• Effect on frequency of dental visits, before and after CHAS/PG

• Effect on shift from public to private dental clinic after CHAS/PG

  1. CHAS Community Health Assistance Scheme
  2. PG Pioneer Generation