RESUMO
Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate factors responsible for negligence of oral health care in our population
Study Design: Observational / descriptive study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi from August 2015 to September 2015
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was structured which was based to evaluate, the background, including age, gender, social and educational level, dental habits and the reasons responsible for them. The data was stored in excel worksheet and was analyzed using SPSS
Results: The major factors responsible for people neglecting oral health care was found out to be the high cost prices of dental treatments by 36%, followed by lack of care seeking attitude by 28% and time management by 23% of people. Socio-Economic status and educational background also had a significant relationship. People from lower socio economic and educational background were seen to be never visiting the dentist. No significant relationship was found with relation to age, marital status, availability of dentist, and dental misconceptions
Conclusion: People are neglecting oral health care mainly due to the high cost price of dental treatments. Care seeking attitude is seen to be absent in our population. Dental health comes last in the set of priorities by the majority of people. Time is another area people find difficult to manage. These areas can be worked upon to decrease the prevalence of dental disease in our population