Abstract
BACKGROUND: Based on the present global burden of oral diseases, unmet dental needs affect a more significant population worldwide. It is characterized by the need for dental care but receiving delayed or no care. Contributing factors include a lack of knowledge about oral health, its consequences, and the availability of dental services. We need to find out the scale of the problem of unmet dental needs of Chinese male adults. Therefore, the aim was to determine the relationship between the presence of oral conditions and the quality of life-related to oral health. METHODS: A total of 46,439 Chinese male adults were recruited to the study between August 2022 and October 2023. The questionnaire was administered using standard procedures. This questionnaire sought to gather various types of information, including basic demographic details, oral health status, and specific oral care needs. To gain insight into the frequency and types of oral conditions in our study population, a thorough clinical oral examination was performed. For data interpretation and evaluation, descriptive statistics and Chi square tests were utilized, with a significant level of 5%. RESULTS: The study results indicated that one of the most prevalent oral conditions was oral surface calculus, which was noted in 22,263 (47.94%) participants. The rate of bleeding gums was 6289 (13.54%), with a range of oral diseases such as dental ulcer (1488; 3.2%), trauma (1342; 2.89%), gingivitis (814; 1.75%), pericoronitis (786; 1.69%), and cheilitis (527; 1.13%). The study population reported a 22.41% prevalence of dental caries, with an additional 15.59% of participants having untreated caries. A significant portion of participants (54.62%) expressed a strong need for oral healthcare treatment, with 79.11% self-reporting their need for regular checkups. Furthermore, 81.09% of participants expressed a desire to receive knowledge guidance. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-fourth of the participants had caries, revealing that age, occupation and location influenced their oral health. Most participants expressed the need for oral treatment, checkups, and knowledge support, stressing the importance of accessibility and availability of oral health services. By specifically targeting age groups and addressing common oral conditions, oral health can be enhanced. Planning strategies should consider demographic factors to maximize impact.