Correlation of Oral Health Knowledge with Practices and Utilization of Dental Services Among Saudi Adults– A Pragmatic Study
Keywords:
Oral health; health knowledge; practices; Dental services; Saudi Arabia.Abstract
Background: Perceived oral health, a significant component that influences oral hygiene practices and the utilization of dental services, varies globally. Although evidence suggests that oral health knowledge is a substantial contributing factor to the utilization of dental services, there is a paucity of literature correlating oral health knowledge with practices and the utilization of oral health services.
Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed to Correlate Oral Health Knowledge with Practices and utilization of Dental services among Saudi adults.
Methods: Patients visiting the outpatient department of a college in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took part in this exploratory survey. Data were collected via a pre-tested, structured questionnaire administered in both English and Arabic. The software used to analyze the variables was SPSS 20.
Results: Regarding the oral health knowledge domain, the majority demonstrated knowledge about the causative factors for dental caries and gum disease, as well as the importance of fluoride. However, a deeper understanding of what plaque is remains unknown to half of them. About half of them brushed twice and used mouthwash, but only 13.8% brushed for the stipulated time. Employed individuals (p = .046, OR = 4.51), Higher education (p = .038, OR = 7.58), awareness about tooth decay (p = .006, OR = 10.47) and gum disease (p = .000, OR = 23.40) and their source of receiving oral hygiene instruction boosts is a strongest predictor which highly increases likelihood of dental visit.
Conclusion: The positive correlation between oral health knowledge, oral hygiene practices, and utilization of dental services is well demonstrated. Stakeholders should customise future oral health policies to focus on enhancing oral health knowledge by reducing the inequity gap in education, unemployment, and other related factors, thereby improving behavioural routines and utilization patterns.
