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Cited by 2Dental Health and Care UtilizationMental Health Treatment and AccessDental Anxiety and Anesthesia Techniques

Pattern of utilization of dental services among Nigerian population in the University of Benin community: A prospective study

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Ogbuji, Oluchukwu Samuel, Edetanlen, Ekaniyere Benlance·2023·Saudi Journal of Oral Sciences
DOI 10.4103/sjoralsci.sjoralsci_68_23
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Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Underutilization of dental services is a global concern that is frequently reported in developing countries among different groups of subpopulations but it is unclear if the same have been studied among population in the university community. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the pattern and barriers to the utilization of dental services among Nigerian population in the University of Benin. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between October 2021 and January 2022 that involved all consecutive staff of the University of Benin, Benin City. The data were collected with an 18-item, structured, close-ended, self-administered questionnaire which was pretested for feasibility. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Data were entered into a computer and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 (IBM, Chicago, USA). Results and Discussion: The age range was 25–55 years, with a mean age of 42.8 ± 8.8 years. There were more males (51.8%) than females. Higher (58.4%) proportions of the respondents claimed to have visited the dentist before this study compared to those who claimed never to have visited for any dental services. Long waiting time was ranked highest (27.1%) as the barrier to good utilization of dental services, and this was followed by high cost of treatment (21.1%), fear of dental treatments (12.8%), and poor staff–patient interaction (11.2%). Most (28.5%) of the respondents answered that a reduction in the cost of treatment can help to improve the utilization of dental services, and this was followed by adequate staff–patient interaction (25.3%) and procurements of hospital equipment (24.2%). More males significantly poorly utilized dental services compared to their female counterparts ( P = 0.01). Furthermore, more Christians poorly utilized dental services compared to Muslims ( P = 0.03). Conclusion: The prevalence of university staff with poor utilization of dental services is relatively high, and this was significantly more in males and among Muslims. Long waiting time and high cost of treatment were the most common barriers mitigating the optimal utilization of dental services.

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Crossref · 10.4103/sjoralsci.sjoralsci_68_23

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  • A study in Nigeria asserted that 91% of Nigerian households do not use dental services.

    “A survey conducted in urban Burkina Faso highlighted that 37.0% of adults had consulted an oral health clinic mainly for tooth removal (31), and a study in Nigeria asserted that 91% of Nigerian households do not use dental services (32).”

    From Oral health in Africa: a neglected public health priority (2026) · cites this paper as [32]

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Authors
Ogbuji, O. S., & Edetanlen, E. B.
Affiliations
University of Benin (NG)
Corresponding author
Ogbuji, Oluchukwu Samuel
Venue
Saudi Journal of Oral Sciences
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2023-09
Volume
10
Issue
3
Pages
145-150
ISSN
  • 1658-6816 (ISSN-L)
  • 2542-7849
DOI
10.4103/sjoralsci.sjoralsci_68_23
OpenAlex
W4390356095
Cited by
2
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 2
FWCI
0.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-sa
Locations
  • Saudi Journal of Oral Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Oral Surgery › Dental Anxiety and Anesthesia Techniques
Keywords
dental care utilization, barriers to dental care, university employees, waiting time, dental care costs, dental anxiety, staff-patient interaction, gender differences, religious affiliation, Nigeria

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