Barriers to Oral Health Care Utilisation among General Population in Chennai - A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Oral health is an important key for overall health and well being. There are a lot of barriers that obstruct the utilisation of oral health care services. This leads to various oral diseases which are a major public health problem.

Aim The aim of the present study was to assess the various barriers to oral health care utilisation.

Materials and method A cross sectional survey based study was conducted among the general population in Chennai. The required data was collected using a validated and a pretested questionnaire. A total of 150 responses were collected from the study population. The data was analysed using SPSS software, version 23. Chi square test was performed to obtain the significance between two variables.

Result The barriers to oral health care utilisation were assessed. Most of the respondents (58.7%) consulted a dentist only when they were no longer able to bear the pain, while 32% of the population never had a dental visit. Based on the findings of the study, not feeling dental health is important was statistically significant among all the socioeconomic groups.

Conclusion The major barrier to oral health care utilisation was high cost. There is a need to create awareness on oral health and hygiene through outreach programmes and mass education.