Assessment of Oral Health Status and Access Barriers of Patients Reporting to a Dental College in Lucknow

• Main Authors: Neha, L Vamsi Krishna Reddy, Abhishek Verma, Ravi Shankar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry
• Subjects: Access barriers; dental caries; oral health; oral mucosal lesions; periodontal disease
• Online Access: http://www.jiaphd.org/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2019;volume=17;issue=3;spage=192;epage=197;aulast=Neha
• ISSN: 2319-5932; 2350-0484

Background: Dental caries and periodontal diseases have been considered the most important global oral health burdens. The dentist-to-population ratio is 1:10,000 in urban areas, whereas 1:50,000 in rural areas. There are several challenges being faced in delivery of oral health care to the Indian population, such as lack of workforce and poor accessibility which is compounded by poverty and illiteracy. In view of the above, the present study was carried out. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess dentition status, oral mucosal lesions, and periodontal status of patients and to determine the level of access barriers of the population in utilization of oral health services of dental college in Lucknow. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based survey was designed to assess the dentition status, oral mucosal lesions, periodontal status, and access barriers of patients reporting to dental college in Lucknow. The study was conducted among patients aged above 15 years coming to the Outpatient Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology in Dental College. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding accessibility and utilization of dental services across different socioeconomic groups. Caries status, Community Periodontal Index, and oral mucosal lesions were recorded as per the WHO 2013 pro forma. All descriptive as well as inferential statistical analysis using Chi-square was carried out using SPSS version 21.0 for Windows and the value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Dental caries was found to be 55.8%, prevalence of oromucosal lesions was 11.1%, and only 1.6% had loss of attachment (6–8 mm) and prevalence of periodontal disease was 40.3%. Access to dental care in the present study was high 80.1%. Regarding the utilization of dental services, a large percentage of the respondents visited the dental college only when they have a toothache (48.1%) or hole in the tooth (14.8%). Only very few visit the dentist for regular checkups or cleaning (2.2%). Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries was 55.8% and mean decayed-missing-filled teeth was 8.57%. The periodontal changes were 40.3% and severe periodontal disease was uncommon. The most important barrier in the utilization of the available services was cost of seeking oral care and individual variations in perceived need of care.