Treatment needs, demand, association of missing and replaced tooth among older population in a rural setting.

Authors

  • Bolanle Oyeyemi AKINBOBOYE Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
  • Adedoyin OGUNYEMI Department of Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Keywords:

Felt needs, dental care, demand

Abstract

Objective: To determine the need, demand, association between missing and replaced tooth older population in a rural setting

Methods: Pretested structured questionnaire were administered seeking dental needs and demand. Likert scale ranging from 0 - 4 additive index was used to score intensity of symptoms (12 items). This individual score was aggregated to give a maximum score of 48. Descriptive statistics was calculated, categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages.  Chi-square test and student T test was used to determine statistically significant differences.

Results: The study participants were 393 with a mean age of 67.29 ± 7.19 years.   The DMFT index was 2.74 ± 5.34 {Decayed (19.6%) teeth mean -0.40 ± 1.06)-, Missing (58.1%, mean -2.35± 4.28), No filled teeth}. Only 1.3% were edentulous and 33.3% had Kennedy class III. Mean index of felt need was 12.95 ± 4.5 and 30.4% of those with mild felt needs demanded dental care (p=0.003).  Only 33.6% of population demanded for dental care, 42.5% had dental pain or discomfort in the past 12 months and 88.5% of this population visited the dentist (p <0.001). Mild felt needs (p =0.001), affordability (p <0.001) and socioeconomic status (p=0.023) were factors that influenced demand. The average missing teeth (2.35 ± 4.28) was higher than average replaced teeth (0.39 ± 1.09) (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: The average felt need was mild and the demand for oral care was low. Average number of replaced teeth was significantly lower than average number of missing teeth.

 

 

Downloads

Published

2019-09-10

Most read articles by the same author(s)