노인의 의치 착용이 저작능력과 영양 상태에 미치는 영향

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates regional-level determinants of unmet dental care needs inSouth Korea, aiming to identify geographic disparities and inform targeted policy interventions. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2022 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) and KoreanStatistical Information Service (KOSIS), encompassing 229 districts. Spatial analyses included usingMoran’s I, hotspot analysis, and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR). An independent t-testwas conducted to compare GWR coefficients between hotspot and cold-spot regions. Results: Significant spatial autocorrelation was confirmed (Moran’s I=0.18, P<0.001). Hotspotswere concentrated in Jeolla-do and Gangwon-do, whereas Seoul, Busan, and Daejeon had lowrates. GWR analysis indicated that toothbrushing after lunch, chewing problems, regional deprivation, and public health center availability were significant region-specific predictors. The number ofpublic health centers was significantly lower in hotspot regions (0.05) compared to cold spots (1.75)(P=0.016). Conclusions: Unmet dental care needs exhibit notable regional variation. Expanding public dentalinfrastructure and enhancing service accessibility in underserved regions are crucial to reducingspatial disparities in oral health.