Influence of socioecomomic and oral health status on acceptability of dental therapists’ oral health care

This study explored the acceptability of dental therapists by respondents’ socioeconomic factors and oral health status. Methods. Data were collected from 405 adults during the 2014 Minnesota State Fair through completion of an electronic questionnaire and a modified Basic Screening Survey (BSS). Results. This study found no relevant and statistically significant relationships between a respondent’s various socioeconomic factors and their acceptability of care provided by a dental therapist. It also demonstrated no association between participants’ perceived or physical oral health status and their acceptability of care provided by a dental therapist. Conclusions. The acceptability of care provided by a dental therapist is neither related to socioeconomic characteristics nor perceived or physical oral health. Practical implications. While advancing the acceptability of dental therapists faces many challenges, the patient’s socioeconomic profile and his/her oral health status are not among them.