OBJECTIVES: With the aging population increasing, ensuring access to essential medications is crucial for older adults' health. Underinvestment strains public health systems, hindering their ability to meet basic healthcare needs. This study assessed the impact of public health expenditure on unmet dental needs among older Europeans.

METHODS: We analyzed data from 42,780 individuals aged 50 years and above, representing 26 participating countries in wave 8 (2019/2020) of the Survey on Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. Probit regression analyses were employed to estimate the impact of public health expenditure on the likelihood of unmet dental needs.

RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2020, the prevalence of unmet dental needs increased in most countries. In 2020, Greece had the highest frequency at 17.4%, followed by Romania (11.8%) and Estonia (11.1%). Increased public health expenditure demonstrated a significant effect in reducing the likelihood of unmet dental needs. The average marginal effect varied among European countries, with higher rates observed in nations characterized by high unmet dental needs and low public health expenditure. Additional significant risk factors for unmet dental needs included younger age, unmarried status, unemployment, lower income, lack of supplementary health insurance, and poorer health status.

CONCLUSIONS: Significant and sustained investments in public health, achieved through increased public health expenditure, would positively influence access to dental care. Consequently, such investments would lead to improvements in overall health outcomes among older Europeans.