title: Perceived Barriers Affecting Access to Preventive Dental Services: Application of DEMATEL Method.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Identifying perceived access barriers to preventive dental services is one of the basic steps to improve the public health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the perceived barriers affecting access to preventive dental services in one of Tehran dental clinics in 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  This research was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study conducted in one of Tehran dental clinics in 2012 using decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The study sample included all patients (100 patients) who had referred to the endodontic treatment department from 26 - 31 May, 2012. The required data were collected using a questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 and MATLAB 7.9.0 SPSSS 18.0, as well as, some descriptive and analytical tests including Mean, Standard Deviation (SD), and Independent T- Test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The five determinants of cost, inconvenience, fear, organization, and patient-dentist relationship were determined as barriers to access to dental services among which the cost and patient-dentist relationship were identified as the first and last priorities with the coordinates (1.4 and 1.4) and (1.25 and -0.65), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High cost of dental care has led to not referring patients to the clinic. Oral health costs are too high; however insurance organizations have no commitment to support such services. Policymakers, administrators, and insurance organizations have a major role in improving access to dental services. These decision-makers in making their policies can provide the required financial resources, shift the available resources towards preventive care and periodic checkups, and consider providing proper and sufficient places for dental care facilities.
authors.affiliation: Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammadkarim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahadori
authors.affiliation: School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ravangard
authors.affiliation: Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Baratali
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Asghari
keywords: Dental Care; Hospital Dental Services; Public Health