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This study investigated the role of self‐perceived oral health and normative need on dental services utilization by US adults aged ≥30 years from the 2011‐2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Data on 5,806 dentate adult NHANES participants were analyzed. Key independent variables were self‐perceived oral health and normative need assessed by a dentist. The dependent variable was dental visit within the past 12 months. Select sociodemographic variables were adjusted for in logistic regression models using SAS survey procedures.

Overall, 33.8 percent of adults did not have a dental visit in the past 12 months. About 26.9 percent reported they were unsatisfied with their oral health and 53.4 percent needed to seek care. Individuals unsatisfied with their oral health were less likely to have a dental visit in the past 12 months compared to those who …