Utilization of Oral Health Service among Inmates in Jos Prison

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed at assessing the utilization of oral health service by inmates in Jos prison. METHOD: The study was cross sectional, involving 111 male inmates using the interviewer's administered questionnaire. The questionnaire focused on dental visit, reasons for dental visit and the perceived need of the inmates. RESULTS: There are no oral health care services within the Jos prison. The results obtained showed that only 18.9% of the inmates have ever visited a dentist. Of those that visited a dentist, 7.2% had ever visited more than once. Those who have stayed in prison between 1-60 months had the highest percentage of inmates who have visited the dentist (76.6%), while those that have stayed between 61-120 months had the least (8%). Reasons given for visit were for treatment. Care received include; Tooth extraction (6), fillings (3), oral hygiene talk (1), drugs (8), and denture (1). Chi-square analysis showed that there is no significant difference (P> 0.05) between educational level and dental visit, but there is significant difference (P<0.05) between dental visit and duration of stay. Self-reported dental needs indicated a perceived need for extraction, dentures, cleaning and fillings. CONCLUSION: This study has highlighted the absence of oral health service to inmates of Jos prison. The need to provide oral health service and manpower to inmates in the prison becomes very necessary.