Predictors of dental service utilization among visually impaired people in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Abstract

The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to examine factors associated with utilization of dental
health services among visually impaired people and also identify barriers affecting such utilization. A
structured questionnaire and an oral examination were used to collect data in January, 2013. In total, 266
visually impaired people participated in the study. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and multiple
logistic regression.
The utilization of dental health services in the past year among visually impaired people was 26.3%.
Based on the Chi-square tests, education, occupation, perception of oral status, perception of oral health
problems and perceptions of the oral health service system were found to be statistically significant associated
with dental service utilization. In logistic regression, significant predictors of dental service utilization among
visually impaired people included perception of oral status (adj OR = 4.45, 95% CI = 1.41-14.05), perception
of oral health problems (adj OR = 4.66, 95% CI = 1.96-11.07) and perception of the dental service system
(adj OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.32-4.49). The three most commonly reported barriers to dental visits were “no
one takes me to the dentist”, “not enough time” and “waiting until the pain gets worse”.
The findings suggested that the significant key factor to increase utilization among visually impaired
people is providing an appropriate oral health education to improve the knowledge of oral health care, and
finally lead to change the perception of oral problems in these people. Furthermore, special dental service
system should be established to minimize barriers to care and serve needs of these people.