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, 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.