Oral Health Beliefs, Practices, and Utilization of Dental Services in Select Towns in Northern Nigeria

Objectives: Access to oral health care is still a huge problem in Nigeria especially in the northern provinces. Previous studies concentrated in the southern part of the country have revealed barriers facing the overall oral health system in the country. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health knowledge, beliefs and practices among residents in the northern regions of the country.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in five rural communities in the northern state of Nigeria. Twenty participants were recruited from each of the five communities. All 100 volunteers completed a semi-structured questionnaire with the help of an interpreter. Responses were collected and Likert scale is used to describe and identify knowledge, beliefs, practices and utilization of oral health services. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and correlation tests were performed.
Results: Results show that there is a strong recognition of oral problems in their communities (85%) and a high awareness (78%) that oral health issues have an impact on the whole body. 82% brush their teeth at least once a day with toothbrush and toothpaste (produced locally) and believe that sugary foods and smoking can damage the teeth. When there is oral pain, 91% agree they need to see a dentist but cite cost for not seeing one. In practice 53% would self-medicate; 30% would apply a substance on the cavity (crushed table herbs, oil). They seek help when they have pain at the hospital, the “teeth center” (where the provider is not necessarily a dentist) and the “chemist” where they obtain pain medications.
Conclusions: Oral health knowledge is average and there is positive attitude towards dentists. However, there is a stark lack of knowledge of proper dental treatment and absence of oral health providers in the community leads people to do treatment on their own.