Objectives: Studies of the utilization of oral health services and the factors involved in seeking oral health care are urgently needed so that oral health programmes to be developed matches the needs of the population. This study is part of a larger research programme for assessing social and health disparities in Fijian communities. The objectives were to determine the uses of dental services, illness related behavior and factors affecting service utilization in a Fijian community.
Method: A sample of 70 adults was broadly selected according to World Health Organization index age, access to dental service and socio economic characteristics in two Fijian settlements. The Anderson – Newton model of health care utilization was utilized to design to fit the environment of Fiji. Data was obtained by stratification based on the two settlements.
Results: Overall 48.6% of the participants indicated having oral health problems in the past 12 months. In response to their symptoms 50% used oral health facilities, 14.7% self-medication, 44.11% sought no treatment at all. Of the individuals who sought no treatment, 13.3% saw problem not serious, 33.3% problem going away, 26.6% afraid of the dentist, 6.6% could not afford, and 20% too old to go to any dental clinic. Choices of oral health care facilities were influenced with high salary level (48%), employment (58.8%), and religion (52.9%). High proportions (34.3%) of the participants were 25 – 34 age groups.
Conclusion: This study mentioned the inability of Indigenous Fijians to properly utilize dental care due to their behavior, attitudes and other predisposing characteristics. The preference for oral health services utilization found is determined by the availability and accessibility of the service and the patient's socio economic status. Study supports the need for ongoing oral health education to the grass root people in rural communities.