title: Oral health trends and service utilization at a rural outreach dental clinic, Udo, Southern Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The oral disease burden in Nigerian rural areas is considered high with limited dental services. Normative need assessment to facilitate oral health promotion and interventional activities is essential. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the dental service utilization and trends of patents attending a rural outreach dental clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted using data from clinical records of patients seen over a period of 54 months at a rural outreach dental clinic of comprehensive health center, Udo, Edo State, and were analyzed for descriptive variables with Chi-square test and P value set at ≤0.05 significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and sixty four (164) patients [males = 74 (45.1%), females = 90 (54.9%)] were seen with a mean age of 36.15 ± 18.05 years. The major reason for clinic visit was due to dental caries (sequelae) and condition representing 43.3% and 34.8%, respectively. Extractions (41.5%) and scaling and polishing (S and P) (21.3%) accounted for the most frequently provided treatment. Almost 20% patients did not receive any form of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study revealed a low health seeking behavior, low utilization of dental services among the rural dwellers and need for oral health awareness, periodic screening, and preventive approach in the rural population through more frequent outreach visits of dental personnel resident in the community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Community Dentistry Unit, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Sunny Ajimen
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Okeigbemen
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Community Dentistry Unit, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chiwendu Ukachi
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Nnawuihe
keywords: Dental services; rural dental outreach; treatment needs