Knowledge and perceptions about dental health insurance among dental practitioners of Jaipur City

Abstract

Background: The general health insurance plans merely cover the hospitalization and medicinal costs. Dental insurance is meant to insure people against the dental disease and their expense of treatment. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and perceptions regarding dental health insurance among private dental practitioners of Jaipur city. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among private dental practitioners aged 25–59 years in Jaipur city, a 20-item self-designed questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and perceptions regarding dental health insurance. Data were analyzed using MedCalc software version 14.2.1.0. Chi-square test was applied for analyzing the categorical data. The confidence interval and level of significance were set at 95% and P ≤ 0.05, respectively. Results: The dental practitioners were aware of dental insurance, and the Internet was found to be the major source of knowledge (57.00%) regarding dental health insurance, and there was statistically significant (P = 0.026) difference between male and female dental practitioners (39 males and 18 females). Overall, 80% of the dental practitioners felt that individuals with numerous or ongoing oral health problems are more likely to purchase dental insurance. Cashless treatment facility was found to be the biggest (62.00%) influencing factor affecting the health insurance subscriptions; also, there was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) between male and female dental practitioners about the same. Conclusion: In the present study, dental insurance has been found to be associated with higher rates of visiting for a checkup and regular dental visiting and was correlated with patient acceptance of prescribed dental treatment, which suggests that insured individuals may face fewer financial barriers to comprehensive dental care.