83 - Emerging Young Adults’ Perceived Social Status and Motivators for Seeking Dental Care: A Qualitative Study

Abstract:

Objectives: Emerging young adulthood is a unique developmental period that presents opportunities and challenges, as individuals experience deviations in education and employment while transitioning into adulthood. Dental utilization may be disrupted by these changes and have long-term impact on oral health. Perceived social status (PSS), a measure of social status, reflects one’s perception of their own social and economic experiences throughout their lifetime relative to others. This study explored differences in motivating factors to seeking dental care across levels of PSS.

Methods: In summer 2022, 18-25-year-olds were recruited from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry for one-on-one semi-structured interviews (N=45). Participants were asked about their dental health, dental care experiences, and motivators to seeking dental care, demographic questions, and PSS. Data were analyzed qualitatively to identify themes. Comparisons were made across levels of PSS.

Results: The most frequent motivating factors for seeking dental care included social pressures, positive relationships, establishing a dental provider, and perceived/evaluated dental need. Nearly all participants were motivated by others’ perceptions. Among those who reported low PSS, perceived dental need included dental pain/caries while those with high PSS reported aesthetic concerns.

Conclusions: It is essential that emerging young adulthood is not overlooked in the lifespan. Even the small age range (18 to 25) are marked differences in personal experiences and motivating factors. As PSS increased, motivators decreased in dental need and self-drivers were in motion. Thus, targeted programmatic efforts should be made early to provide individuals with low PSS the tools to guide healthy behaviors.

Source of Funding: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute Of Dental & Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number F31DE030363. The content is solely the responsibility of the researchers and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Affiliations: University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics
University of Iowa College of Public Health