Evaluation of governmental dental health services in rural health centers in Egypt.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify and evaluate the existing utility of rural oral health services after 20 yr of implementing the compulsory law of rural health services in Egypt. Six out of 26 governorates present in Egypt were selected. Ten rural health centers from each governorate were visited. A review from each center was performed about the demographic features of the village, the dental manpower and type and condition of dental equipment. The existing records of the dental treatment performed per year from July 1980 to June 1981 were recorded. The general findings revealed that only 31% of rural health centers of the selected governorates had dental facilities. The demand for dental treatments in these centers varied between the six governorates and ranged between 12% in Alexandria to 1% in Dakahlia of the population. Most of the treatments performed were extractions (52.52%), while conservative treatments were minimal (0.85%). Prosthetic treatments were not available in these centers.