COMPARING DENTAL UTILIZATION OF US ARMY SOLDIERS WITH THEIR EMPLOYED CIVILIAN COHORTS

In fall 1992, a random, worldwide sample of 5474 enlisted and 4036 off icer, active duty, U.S. Army personnel was surveyed on dental utilizat ion. Overall survey response rate was 62%. After weighting the data to reflect the population, dental utilization rates of military personne l were compared with their employed civilian cohorts in the U.S. popul ation. Results show that, regardless of race or gender, over 80% of U. S. Army personnel have seen a dentist within the past year. Controllin g for age, gender, and race, active duty U.S. Army personnel have dent al utilization rates that greatly exceed their employed civilian cohor ts. The results suggest that access barriers to dental care present in the civilian population, especially for minorities, are greatly dimin ished in the U.S. Army. The results suggest that access to free care m ay be a potent stimulus to utilization of dental services among milita ry or civilian personnel. Further, access to free dental care should b e emphasized in recruiting and retaining U.S. military personnel.