Awareness and attitude towards dental coverage right affecting the dental service utilization among selected thais in Bangkok.

UNLABELLED

Oral health problems are one of the most prevalent public health issues in Thailand. However, the rate of dental service utilization is relatively low despite having three major healthcare coverages provided for Thai citizens. Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether awareness about dental coverage affects the rate of dental care utilization and the attitude towards dental coverage compared across coverage types. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study based on Bangkok, Thailand using a newly developed questionnaire to assess socio-demographic information, dental healthcare utilization, dental coverage, and attitude towards dental coverage. Convenience sampling was used. Population studied was Thai citizens of working age (above 15 years old). Paper-based questionnaire forms were handed out in public venues. Data was analyzed with chi-square analysis to assess whether the sociodemographic characteristics and awareness of dental coverage correlates with dental care service utilization. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis to determine which variables had more influence upon dental care utilization.

RESULTS

A total of 315 participants were included for data analysis. Chi-square analysis showed that gender, age, occupation, education, income, and awareness of dental coverage and reported type of dental coverage were all significantly correlated to dental healthcare service utilization (p-value <0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that gender, age, career, and income still affect utilization when put into a logistic regression model, while awareness was no longer significant in predicting utilization rate.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, sociodemographic factors that significantly affect dental care service utilization included age, gender, occupation, education and income. When weighted with other socioeconomic determinants of dental care utilization, awareness of dental coverage schemes did not have a significant prediction value.