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.