Abstract
BACKGROUND: Utilization of oral health services on a regular basis is essential for addressing any oral health problem and preventing the development of more serious concerns. However, there exist some barriers that directly impact utilization of dental services, like cost, lack of awareness, anxiety or dental fear, accessibility and availability of dental services. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine dental service utilization and perceived barriers among adults residing in Jiri, Nepal. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 725 adult residents of Jiri who were interviewed with the help of a validated and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 24. Mean and standard deviation were computed for continuous data like age. Frequency and percentage were calculated for categorical variables regarding dental service utilization and perceived barriers. Chi square test was used to determine association between demographic factors and their dental services utilization status. RESULTS: Out of 725 study participants, 595 (82.1%) did not visit a dentist in the past one year. Very few (87, 12%), utilized dental services in the past six months. Dental pain was the major reason for their visit to the dentist. Many aged 65 years and above (109, 87.2%) did not visit dentist in the past one year which was significantly higher than other age groups (P = 0.033). Similarly, most of the unemployed residents of Jiri (331, 86.9%) had not utilized dental services than employed or self-employed residents (P = 0.001).The major barrier for dental service utilization perceived by the study participants was the high cost of treatment (474, 65.4%) followed by lack of awareness to seek dental care (417, 57.5%) and difficult access to oral health services due to scarce dental facility (393, 54.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study showed low dental care utilization status by the adult residents of Jiri which was associated with age and employment status. High cost of dental treatment, lack of awareness and accessibility were the major perceived barriers. Utilization of dental services can be increased by tackling concerns about the affordability of oral health care, adequate accessibility of public dental facility, and oral health education and promotion at community level.