Objective  To investigate the status and influencing factors for the utilization of oral health services (UOHS) among middle-aged and elderly residents in China and to provide references for promoting the utilization of oral health services in the populations.

  Methods  The information on UOHS among 20 837 residents aged 45 years and above were extracted from the data of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted in 28 provincial level regions across China during 2015. Logit and tobit regression model were adopted to explore influencing factors for UOHS.

  Results  Only 3 593 (17.24%) of the participants reported visiting a dentist during previous one year and the average annual person-time of dental visits was 0.44 ± 1.57 for all the participants. The results of logit regression analysis revealed that the participants with following charaters were more likely to have UOHS: female gender (odds ratio OR = 1.165, 95% confidence interval 95% CI: 1.068 – 1.270), aged 60 – 74 years (OR = 1.186, 95% CI : 1.082 – 1.300), with the education of college or above (OR = 1.367, 95% CI: 1.100 – 1.698), participation in social activities (OR = 1.292, 95% CI : 1.187 – 1.407), being somewhat and very unsatisfactory to dental service received (OR = 1.301, 95% CI : 1.109 – 1.526 and OR = 1.518, 95% CI : 1.264 – 1.823), and suffering from a chronic disease (OR = 1.125, 95% CI : 1.032 – 1.227); while those with rural household registration (OR = 0.788, 95% CI : 0.700 – 0.888) and living in rural areas (OR = 0.888, 95% CI : 0.796 – 0.990) were less likely to have UOHS.

  Conclusion  The utilization of oral health services is low among middle-aged and elderly residents in China and varies among different resident groups. Relevant departments should enhance education on oral health care among the residents and optimize the allocation of oral health resources for improving the utilization of oral health services.