Demand for dental care in Sri Lanka.
The demand for dental care was assessed among 3000 dental patients visiting an out-patient clinic in Sri Lanka. 46% of the patients sought treatment for complaints related to advanced stages of dental caries whilst 18% requested treatment for early stages of decay. 20% had complaints related to periodontal disease of which two-thirds had advanced symptoms of mobility. The majority of the demands reflect a need for emergency care such as exodontia and dressings for cavities, which is currently being carried out by dentists but could easily be done by auxiliaries at low cost.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003729:Dental Care; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013188:Sri Lanka; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy