Objective: 1. To determine the oral health of rural dwellers. 2. To determine the attitude of rural dwellers toward the oral health care.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study of adult in villages of Odukpani, Akpabuyo Local Government Areas of Cross-Rivers State, Nigeria. It involved the use of interview-administered questionnaire on the frequency, materials, method and reasons for tooth cleaning and dental visit to 94 patients.
RESULTS: It showed that 83% of the patients clean their teeth. a. Tooth cleaning Once daily - 36.2% Twice daily - 53.2% Thrice daily - 5.3%
b. Reason for tooth cleaning To remove stains - 29.8% Freshen Breath - 53.8% Prevent Disease - 4.3% Others - 7.4%
c. Tooth cleaning material used Toothbrush / Paste - 74.5% Chewing Stick - 13.8% Cotton Wool - 5.3% Toothbrush/Paste & chewing stick 4.3%
DENTAL VISIT: 70% patients agreed that they have never visited a dentist.
CONCLUSION: A larger percentage of people in the rural communities have not being to he dentist. Therefore, there might be a need to incorporate dental health care into primary health care centers in the rural areas.