Oral health assessment and barriers to seek care in internally displaced persons from Bajaur agency, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to assess the oral health status of internally displaced persons from Bajaur Agency living in Jalozai Internally Displaced Persons camp, in Pakistan and to identify the barriers leading to unmet treatment needs. It was a descriptive analytical study, carried out at Jalozai Internally Displaced Persons camp. A total number of 400 individuals were studied. A WHO oral health assessment tool was modified and used while a separate questionnaire was developed to identify barriers to seek dental care. Oral mucosal infections were present in 31.8% of the studied population with oral ulcerations being the commonest. Prevalence of periodontal infections was 69%. The DMFT value for the population was 3.92%. Majority of the population relied upon self treatment. Financial reasons were considered by 74.2% of the subjects to be the most common barrier for unmet treatment needs. The high prevalence of caries, periodontal infections, oral mucosal infections as well as barriers to unmet oral health needs pose a significant threat to the overall health of the Internally Displaced Persons from Bajaur Agency