Utilisation of dental services in Cambodia and the role of traditional dentists.

Cambodia has a small, but growing number of qualified dentists, as well as about 300 traditional dentists. This study describes the current level of utilisation of dental services in Cambodia in Phnom Penh and in 6 provincial areas. 548 adults aged 35-45 and 60-80 years of age were interviewed concerning previous dental attendance, type of service used and preference for qualified or traditional practitioner services. Only 38 per cent had ever had dental treatment, with 87 per cent of attenders last visiting the dentist because of toothache. Although 34 per cent of attenders received their last course of treatment from a traditional dentist, 77 per cent of all subjects said they would prefer to visit a qualified dentist if they had the choice. The role of traditional practitioners may therefore diminish as numbers of qualified dentists increase.