OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of preventive dental visits and to identify self-reported barriers for this practice among Kuwaiti adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-administered, anonymous, structured questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of Kuwaiti nationals 18 years of age or older recruited from all six health districts of Kuwait. A total of 2,400 questionnaires were distributed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with not having a preventive dental visit for more than 1 year. RESULTS: Of the 2,400 questionnaires, 1,925 (80.2%) were completed. Of these, 620 (32.2%) had a dental visit within the previous 6 months, 504 (26.2%) between 6 and 12 months and 801 (41.6%) more than 12 months ago. The most common reasons for the last dental visits were pain or a dental emergency, need for restorative treatment, and an examination/prophylaxis. The strongest factors for not having preventive visits were not using a mouthrinse daily, flossing less than once a day, dental fear, belief that there is no need for visits unless pain was present, brushing the teeth less than twice a day, and believing that appointments are too far ahead. Also older respondents (>30 years), female gender, and those having only high school education or less were less likely to visit a dentist for preventive reasons. CONCLUSION: More than half of the studied population reported not having had a preventive visit for more than 1 year. Unfavorable self-care habits, dental fear and belief that visiting a dentist is necessary only for pain relief were the strongest factors for the nonattendance behavior. Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of preventive dental visits and to identify self-reported barriers for this practice among Kuwaiti adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-administered, anonymous, structured questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of Kuwaiti nationals 18 years of age or older recruited from all six health districts of Kuwait. A total of 2,400 questionnaires were distributed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with not having a preventive dental visit for more than 1 year. RESULTS: Of the 2,400 questionnaires, 1,925 (80.2%) were completed. Of these, 620 (32.2%) had a dental visit within the previous 6 months, 504 (26.2%) between 6 and 12 months and 801 (41.6%) more than 12 months ago. The most common reasons for the last dental visits were pain or a dental emergency, need for restorative treatment, and an examination/prophylaxis. The strongest factors for not having preventive visits were not using a mouthrinse daily, flossing less than once a day, dental fear, belief that there is no need for visits unless pain was present, brushing the teeth less than twice a day, and believing that appointments are too far ahead. Also older respondents (>30 years), female gender, and those having only high school education or less were less likely to visit a dentist for preventive reasons. CONCLUSION: More than half of the studied population reported not having had a preventive visit for more than 1 year. Unfavorable self-care habits, dental fear and belief that visiting a dentist is necessary only for pain relief were the strongest factors for the nonattendance behavior. Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Authors: L Swetha Reddy; Dolar Doshi; B Srikanth Reddy; Suhas Kulkarni; M Padma Reddy; D Satyanarayana; Pavan Baldava Journal: J Clin Diagn Res Date: 2016-10-01
Authors: Areej K Al-Khabbaz; Khalaf F Al-Shammari; Abdulaziz Hasan; Majedah Abdul-Rasoul Journal: Med Princ Pract Date: 2012-10-13 Impact factor: 1.927
Authors: Michelle C White; Mirjam Hamer; Jasmin Biddell; Nathan Claus; Kirsten Randall; Dennis Alcorn; Gary Parker; Mark G Shrime Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2017-09-29