Barriers to seeking preventive dental care by Kuwaiti adults.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of preventive dental visits and to identify self-reported barriers for this practice among Kuwaiti adults.


METHODS
A self-administered, anonymous, structured questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of Kuwaiti nationals 18 years of age or older recruited from all six health districts of Kuwait. A total of 2,400 questionnaires were distributed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with not having a preventive dental visit for more than 1 year.


RESULTS
Of the 2,400 questionnaires, 1,925 (80.2%) were completed. Of these, 620 (32.2%) had a dental visit within the previous 6 months, 504 (26.2%) between 6 and 12 months and 801 (41.6%) more than 12 months ago. The most common reasons for the last dental visits were pain or a dental emergency, need for restorative treatment, and an examination/prophylaxis. The strongest factors for not having preventive visits were not using a mouthrinse daily, flossing less than once a day, dental fear, belief that there is no need for visits unless pain was present, brushing the teeth less than twice a day, and believing that appointments are too far ahead. Also older respondents (>30 years), female gender, and those having only high school education or less were less likely to visit a dentist for preventive reasons.


CONCLUSIONS
More than half of the studied population reported not having had a preventive visit for more than 1 year. Unfavorable self-care habits, dental fear and belief that visiting a dentist is necessary only for pain relief were the strongest factors for the nonattendance behavior.
Al-Shammari
Khalaf F
KF
Surgical Sciences Department, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, Kuwait. kalshammari@hsc.edu.kw
Al-Ansari
Jassem M
JM
Al-Khabbaz
Areej K
AK
Honkala
Sisko
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires