Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Reasons for use and nonuse of dental services among people visiting a dental hospital in urban India: A descriptive study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Tanikonda Rambabu
. Suneetha Koneru

Periodontics, Vishnu Dental College and Hospital, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim and objective of this study was to sort out the reasons for use
and nonuse of dental services among people visiting a private dental hospital in urban India.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross‑sectional study was carried out on 1800 people,
aged 18–65 years, visiting a multispecialty dental hospital in urban India. A self‑administered
questionnaire was used to collect data about the history of dental visits and reasons for use and
nonuse of dental services.
RESULTS: For a majority of the people (45%), time since the last dental visit was more than 2 years,
and the main reason for visiting a dentist was dental pain (38%). Majority of the people had received
restoration of teeth in their previous dental visit (46%). The major reason cited for not visiting a dentist
was lack of knowledge toward dental problems and their consequences (30%). Only few people
visited dentists for preventive reasons. More patients with better educational levels visited dentists
than patients with poor educational status.
CONCLUSION: Majority of the people visited dentists when their problem was severe enough to
have a dental appointment. Dental practitioners across locations should also educate the patients
regarding the importance of regular dental care, discuss barriers for dental care, and promote
attitudinal changes toward a positive health‑seeking behavior.

Keywords

Dental services
private dental hospital
urban India
utilization
  1. Petersen PE. Global policy for improvement of oral health in the
    21st century – Implications to oral health research of World Health
    Assembly 2007, World Health Organization. Community Dent
    Oral Epidemiol 2009;37:1‑8.
    2. Stewart DC, Ortega AN, Dausey D, Rosenheck R. Oral health
    and use of dental services among Hispanics. J Public Health Dent
    2002;62:84‑91.
    3. Jamieson LM, Thomson WM. The dental neglect and dental
    indifference scales compared. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol
    2002;30:168‑75.
    4. Al‑Shammari KF, Al‑Ansari JM, Al‑Khabbaz AK, Honkala S. Barriers to seeking preventive dental care by Kuwaiti adults. Med
    Princ Pract 2007;16:413‑9.
    5. Manski RJ, Magder LS. Demographic and socioeconomic
    predictors of dental care utilization. JAm Dent Assoc 1998;46:432‑9.
    6. Cohen LA, Bonito AJ, Eicheldinger C, Manski RJ, Macek MD,
    Edwards RR, et al. Behavioral and socioeconomic correlates of
    dental problem experience and patterns of health care‑seeking.
    J Am Dent Assoc 2011;142:137‑49.
    7. Ekanayake L, MendisR. Self reported use of dental services among
    employed adults in Sri Lanka. Int Dent J 2002;52:151‑5.
    8. Jaafar N, Jalalluddin RL, Razak IA, Esa R. Investigation of delay in
    utilization of government dental services in Malaysia. Community
    Dent Oral Epidemiol 1992;20:144‑7.
    9. Kuthy RA, Odom JG, Salsberry PJ, Nickel JL, Polivka BJ.
    Dental utilization by low‑income mothers. J Public Health Dent
    1998;58:44‑50.
    10. Devaraj C, Eswar P. Reasons for use and non‑use of dental
    services among people visiting a dental college hospital
    in India: A descriptive cross‑sectional study. Eur J Dent
    2012;6:422‑7.
    11. Pedersen PH, Vigild M, Nitschke I, Berkey DB. Dental
    care for aging populations in Denmark, Sweden, Norway,
    United Kingdom and Germany. J Dent Educ 2005;69:987‑97.
    12. Heaton LJ, Smith TA, Raybould TP. Factors influencing use of
    dental services in rural and urban communities: Considerations
    for practitioners in underserved areas. J Dent Educ 2004;68:1081‑9.
Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 8, Issue 8
August 2018
Pages 1-5

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us