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

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, visi...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Rambabu, Tanikonda, Koneru, Suneetha
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd 2018
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6088817/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30159345
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_193_17
Descripción
Sumario: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.