Concerns and Care Seeking Behaviour for Dental Caries among Dental Outpatients in Central Hospital, Benin City

Abstract

Objective: To examine concerns and care seeking behaviour for dental caries among dental out patients in Central Hospital, Benin City.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out in Dental Centre of Central Hospital, Benin City which is a secondary health care facility in Edo State. A total population of 194 participants (18 years and above) attending the clinic during the four weeks study period participated in the study. Data was collected on their socio-demographic characteristics, worry and care seeking for dental caries.

Results: A total of 194 respondents participated in the study. Two-thirds (67.0%) of the respondents have experienced dental caries and 72.7% expressed different levels of worry about it while only 34.6% went for treatment immediately they knew. Finance (lack of money) was the major (53.1%) factor that influenced respondents’ health seeking pattern.

Conclusion: The study also showed that 72.3.7% of the respondents expressed different levels of worry about dental caries but only 45.4% went for treatment when they discovered they had dental caries. This was greatly influenced by the financial status of the respondents to afford treatment.