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

• Main Authors: Tanikonda Rambabu, Suneetha Koneru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
• Series: Journal of Education and Health Promotion
• Subjects: Dental services; private dental hospital; urban India; utilization
• Online Access: http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2018;volume=7;issue=1;spage=99;epage=99;aulast=Rambabu

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.