Access to root canal treatment in a Nigerian sub-population: assessment of the effect of dental health insurance.

Paul Ikhodaro Idon,Abdulmumini Mohammed,Temiloluwa Olawale Ogundare,Janada Yusuf,John Oluwatosin Makanjuola,Olawale Akeem Sotunde,Chibuzor Emmanuel Igweagu,Olusegun Alalade

doi:10.4314/ahs.v21i1.57

Abstract

The final pathway of tooth mortality lies between tooth extraction, and the more expensive and less accessible root canal treatment (RCT). To determine the extent to which individuals' financial resources as measured by socioeconomic status and dental insurance coverage affects their access to RCT. A hospital-based study that used a 15-item questionnaire to collect data among patients scheduled for RCT. All scheduled subjects (N = 291) over a one-year period constituted the sample for the study. Using the SPSS software, associations between the subjects' variables, and the dental insurance status were carried out with Chi square and independent t test respectively at 95% confidence interval. Two hundred and ninety-one subjects were to have 353 RCTs within the study period. A high proportion (79.7%, p < 0.001) of the subjects had dental health insurance, majority (95.3%) of which was government funded. 20.9% of those with previous tooth loss was due to inability to afford cost of RCT. The lowest socioeconomic group had the highest proportion (90%, p = 0.421) of insured that visited for RCT. Dental insurance increased access to RCT. Socioeconomic status did not affect dental insurance status and dental visit for RCT.

Highlights

Access to oral health care refers to an individual’s ability to obtain and benefit from dental services providedAfrican Health SciencesAfrican Health Sciences, Vol 21 Issue 1, March, 2021 the services
A high proportion (79.7%, p < 0.001) of the subjects had dental health insurance, majority (95.3%) of which was government funded. 20.9% of those with previous tooth loss was due to inability to afford cost of root canal treatment (RCT)
Access to RCT was significantly affected by dental insurance

Summary

Introduction

Access to oral health care refers to an individual’s ability to obtain and benefit from dental services providedAfrican Health SciencesAfrican Health Sciences, Vol 21 Issue 1, March, 2021 the services. Studies show that out-of-pocket costs remain the single most significant obstacle barring individuals from receiving oral health services, and this has been shown to be highly dependent on income.[3,9,10,11] a major objective of a good health care system should be to provide every individual with access to care irrespective of income or ability to pay, but rather on the basis of need. This objective is not fully realized for dental services in most populations.

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Discussion

Conclusion