An Audit of Oral Health Care among Young Adults Attending a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria
Affiliation
Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Benin Teaching Hospital P.M.B 1111, Ugbowo Lagos Road, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Corresponding Author
Enabulele Joan, Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ugbowo Lagos Road, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, Tel: +234-8022160312; E-mail: emien.enabulele@uniben.edu
Citation
Enabulele, J.E., et al. An Audit of Oral Health Care among Young Adults Attending a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria. (2016) J Dent Oral Care 2(5): 1- 5.
Copy rights
© 2016 Enabulele, J.E. This is an Open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Keywords
Abstract
Introduction: Oral diseases and the provision of dental treatment is strongly influenced by patient’s belief, attitudes and values. The goal of dental service utilization research is to improve the oral health outcome of the population. This study was designed to audit the various dental disease conditions in young adults and treatment received.
Methods: This was a one year retrospective study of patients within the age group 20 - 40 years who visited the dental out-patient clinic of University of Benin Teaching Hospital from March 2011 to February 2012. The data of interest retrieved from the files were demographics (Gender, Age, Marital Status and Occupation), Presenting complaints, Diagnosis made and treatment rendered. All data collected was subjected to statistical analysis in form of frequencies, percentages, Mean and cross tabulations using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0.
Result: A total of 1,123 young adult case notes were retrieved for this study. There was a slight female preponderance with the commonest presenting complaint being pain. The most prevalent diagnosis made was chronic marginal gingivitis. There was tatistically significant association between presenting complaints, gender, occupation as well as marital status of the young adults. There was a pattern with regards to age and type of treatment received among the young adult patients.
Conclusion: Utilization of oral health by young adults shows a pattern slightly different from the general population. Age, gender, marital status and socio-economic status have a role to play in type of dental treatment received by young adults.
