Barriers to the provision of oral health education among Mongolian dentists.

PURPOSE

To study barriers to providing oral health education (OHE) to their patients among Mongolian dentists.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A questionnaire survey was carried out in 2000 among practising dentists (n = 250) in the capital city of Mongolia. The response rate was 98%. Barriers to OHE were measured by six statements describing problems that might interfere with dentists' OHE activities and attitudes towards it by a statement about its importance; all answers were rated on a 5-point Likert scale (strongly agree-strongly disagree). Self-perceived competency in providing OHE was measured by means of a 4-point scale of competency (very to not at all competent) and preventive knowledge by 14 statements related to preventive dentistry. Dentists' work-related backgrounds were work experience in years, type of practice (state or private) and field of practice (general practice or speciality field). Statistical evaluation was carried out by chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Poor appreciation of OHE by patients (85%) followed by insufficient teaching materials (73%) and time constraint due to the huge demand for curative care (59%) were the most commonly agreed-upon barriers. Concerning their attitudes towards and competency in providing OHE, 88% of the dentists agreed that OHE should be statutory, and 85% perceived themselves at least quite competent. Dentists' years of work experience were positively, but preventive knowledge score negatively associated with their agreeing about barriers to OHE activities.

CONCLUSION

Despite appreciation of OHE, Mongolian dentists seem to face practical barriers to providing OHE activities.