Recent Dental Attendance and Experiences among Middle-aged Lithuanian University Employees

Objective: To describe the attendance pattern and experiences of the most recent dental visit by Lithuanian university employees aged 34-45 years. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted anonymously among 34-45 aged employees (n=255) of Vilnius Pedagogical University, Lithuania, in March 2005. The questions covered time of, reasons for and satisfaction about the last dental visit, information about the dentist, practice type, and performed procedures. Satisfaction was measured on a 5-point scale, from entirely satisfied to entirely unsatisfied. Respondents' age, gender, marital status, education and income served as background information. Statistical evaluation was by Chi-square test. Results: A total of 170 (67%) questionnaires were returned. Mean age of the respondents was 40.4 years (SD=3.1), 79% were women, 72% married or living together, and 78% with university education. Reported household income was average for 42%, below average for 32% and higher than average for 26%. Three fourths reported a visit to a dentist within the last 12 months, 83% of them indicated visiting private practice, more of those with higher income (p=0.04). As the main reason for the visit the respondents reported poor aesthetics (8%), continued treatment (13%), self-decided preventive check-up (18%), toothache (21%) and other dental problems (36%). Visits by dentist's recall were rare (4%). The last treatment included fillings (72%), professional oral hygiene (29%), crowns/bridges (16%), tooth extraction (9%), periodontal treatment (3%). More than half (58%) of respondents reported visiting the same dentist for more than two years. High rates of satisfaction with the dentist were reported; 42% were entirely satisfied and 48% satisfied. Conclusions: These middle-aged well-educated middle-income Lithuanians seemed to be frequent dental visitors, highly satisfied with their last visit. However, preventive aspects related to dental visits were weakly reflected by the dentists' as well as their patients' behaviour.