期刊名称：International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education
电子版ISSN：1308-5581
出版年度：2022
卷号：14
期号：2
页码：2941-2945
DOI：10.9756/INT-JECSE/V14I2.281
语种：English
出版社：International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education
摘要：Aim The purpose of the present study was to assess various dental needs of elderly patients as well as any obstacles encountered in achieving the same. Methodology A cross‑sectional door‑to‑door survey using a self‑designed, structured, validated questionnaire was carried out with a sample of 250 elders. They were randomly selected through multistage sampling technique. Information regarding demographic details, systemic conditions, oral hygiene practices, perceived need, utilization rate of dental services, and factors acting as barriers for the utilization of dental services among the elderly were collected. Chi‑square test and Pearson correlation were applied. Results About 70.5% of the subjects had utilized the dental services in their lifetime, but only 41.4% had utilized in the previous year. Fifty percent of the elders perceived a problem in their oral cavity. Most of our respondents suffered from more than one chronic disease and had utilized the dental services. The cost of treatment, nonsuitability of location of clinic, indirect cost due to transport, the appointment system, and no availability of services on weekends acted as the important barriers to utilize the dental services. Conclusion Financial constraint and lack of perceiving dental problems as severe acted as major barriers. Preventive oral hygiene measures tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual patient are essential.
