title: Utilisation of oral health services, oral health needs and oral health status in a peri-urban informal settlement.
abstract: Interviews were conducted with 294 black residents (155 females and 138 males) of a peri-urban informal settlement in Gauteng to ascertain utilisation of oral health services, oral health needs and oral health status. Only 37 per cent of the sample had consulted a dentist or medical practitioner, usually for extractions. Teenagers and employed persons were significantly less likely to utilise dentists than the older age groups and unemployed persons. Forty per cent were currently experiencing oral health problems such as a sore mouth, tooth decay and bleeding/painful gums. Two hundred and twelve (73 per cent) interviewees wanted dental treatment or advice. Residents who rated their oral health status as fair or poor appeared to have the greatest need for oral health services. The use of interviews appears to be a cost-effective method of determining oral morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Westaway
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Viljoen
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rudolph
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014098:Toothache / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*