Abstract
This descriptive study aimed to know the situation and pattern of dental health care utilization in
Thai working-age population related to health insurance coverage. Data of population aged 15-59 years
were selected from the Health and Welfare Surveys 2009-2013. Descriptive statistics were used in terms of
percentage and rate. Results showed that in 2013 dental health care utilization rate was very low despite
all of population had health insurance coverage. Population in Universal Coverage Scheme always had
lowest utilization rate. Female, urbanites and graduated adults were high utilization rate groups while
people in the central and north-eastern regions were low utilization rate groups. Self-employed, family
business and private employees always had low utilization rates too. Most utilization was for basic dental
care in the one to one ratio of public and private health care services. Private dental clinics were the most popular. The utilization with insurance cover ranged between 57.1%-70.0% of each health insurance scheme.
Main reasons of service utilization without using their insurance cover were “long waiting”, “limited
service time” and “limited insurance benefit”. Unmet rates were 1.0% in 2011 and 1.1% in 2013. Main
unmet reasons were “time constraint”, “unable to pay for service”, “long waiting” and “others such as
fear”. The results from this study suggest that the dental health care service be developed to match needs
of the working-age populations. The regulation system for private dental clinic should be standardized.
Competency of dental staff on each service level should be reviewed and updated. Other dental health
aspects should be researched as well.
