Oral health practices and self-assessed dental status of an adult population in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To determine the self- assessed oral health status and dental practices among an adult population in Benin City.
Method: The cross sectional convenience study involved 190 Christian religious leaders aged 24- 73 years, comprising 155 (81.6%) males 35 (18.4%) females. Data was collected by means of self administered questionnaire which included their personal characteristics previous dental visits, oral self-care behaviour, halitosis.
Result: Twenty five percent of the pastors had experienced toothache; only 3.2% had visited a dentist within 6 months prior to the study, 7.4% in more than a year but less than 3 years and, 67.9% had never been to a dentist. Only 25.3% visited for routine checkup and 8.4% felt they had bad breath out of which 14.7% thought it affected their communication with others. However, 69.5% rated their oral health as good. Furthermore, 81.1% used toothbrush and paste, 16.3% a combination of toothbrush and chewing stick, while 51.1% cleaned their mouths once daily and 43.2% twice daily. Only 15.8% had done scaling and polishing. While 47.4% claimed to have previously received instruction on maintenance of proper oral health.
Conclusion: The findings from this study indicated a low utilization of dental services and significant need for oral health education. The role of the subjects who participated in this study stake holders in assisting to improve the health of members of the oragnisation and local community is advocated.

Key words: Oral health, practices, status, adult, Benin City