Abstract
Background: Regular use of dental services has been associated with optimal oral health. Reports
in some parts of Nigeria have shown the poor utilization of dental services, but there
is a paucity of information relating to oral health care seeking behavior in the South-South
region of Nigeria. Aim: To determine the pattern of utilization and identify barriers to utilization of dental
services among children. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done among children aged 12-15 years in secondary
schools in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Information was elicited by means of a self-administered
structured questionnaire. These included sociodemographic characteristics, views on
dental visits, reported visits during the previous year, pattern of dental visits,
and the barriers to utilization. Demographic variables and associations were tested
using Chi-squared tests with the level of statistical significance set at P < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results: There were 200 school children; 98 (49%) males and 102 (51%) females with a mean
age of 13.3 (±1.1) years. Dental visits were deemed important by 187 (93.5%) children,
and 32.0% respondents suggested that visits should be when there are symptoms. Only
42 (21%) pupils had been to the dentist in the last 12 months. The barriers to utilization
of dental services majorly included no perceived needs (64.3%). Demographic variables
had no significant association with reported visits and pattern of visits. Conclusion: Utilization of dental services among these school children was low and the major
barrier was no perceived need. Oral health awareness needs to be improved on the importance
of a regular checkup.
Keywords
Dental services - dental visits - Port Harcourt - school children
