Challenges in Dental Care Utilization

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Most oral diseases can be avoided by taking regular preventive measures and having access to well-timed dental care, but various obstacles can prevent consumers from receiving it. The fear of dental manipulations, the lack of sufficient time on the part of the users, the lack of awareness of the need for dental treatment, mobility impairments, and financial restrictions are the most common reasons for postponing examination or treatment at a dental office.
AIM: The purpose of the study is to determine the limitations to the usability of dental care by dental service users, depending on the type of dental service needed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous survey was conducted among dental service users throughout the country. A survey card was provided for participants to fill out. In the statistical analysis, Pearson’s χ2 test was used, along with the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test for comparison of three or more independent cases.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The degree of influence of individual barriers is not equal, with the strongest limitation on the use of dental care being the cost of dental services. The sum of barriers when using dental services more strongly restricts consumers who seek medical care for an acute oral problem or a chronic oral disease. Patients with the fewest restrictions on accessing the dental care they need are those who last visited a dentist for prophylactic purposes.
CONCLUSION: Reducing the limitations to the utilization of dental care can be achieved by improving patients‘ awareness of the importance of using preventive dental services.