Needs and Barriers to Access Oral Healthcare Services among the Rural Population in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Disparities in dental service utilisation are substantial and pervasive worldwide. The healthcare services required to address health concerns and the services actually offered are at odds. Rural residents have poor oral health, and they frequently neglect to adopt good oral hygiene habits. Aim: To assess the oral health needs and barriers in accessing oral healthcare services among the rural population in Pulipakkam, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional door-to-door study was conducted in Pulipakkam, Chengalpattu district, in association with Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Dental Science, Madhuranthagam, Tamil Nadu, India. The study duration was six months, from March 2022 to August 2022. A total of 436 subjects from the rural population were included, and a structured questionnaire consisting of two domains, totalling 27 questions (24 closed-ended and three open-ended questions), was prepared and distributed among the study participants to assess the need (15 questions) and barriers (12 questions) in accessing oral healthcare. The questionnaire was administered in the local (Tamil) language. Additionally, seven demographic data questions were included, and descriptive statistics were performed for the demographic variables. Inferential statistics were used to assess needs and barriers. The World Health Organisation (WHO) oral health assessment questionnaire 2013 was used to assess dental caries and periodontal disease. The Chi-square test was carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 for inferential statistics. The p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 53.6±2.02 years, and 402 (92%) were married, while 34 (7.8%) were unmarried. Among the total population (N=436), the perceived need was 217 (49.8%), and the barrier was 399 (91.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of dental caries among the population with and without perceived need (p=0.909) and with and without barriers to accessing oral healthcare (p=0.542). The majority (N=261, 89.4%) of the population with periodontal diseases (N=292) reported having barriers in accessing oral healthcare services, and there was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of periodontal diseases among the rural population with and without barriers to accessing oral healthcare (p=0.027*). Conclusion: According to the study findings, oral diseases affect individuals who have no needs or barriers, suggesting that they are unaware of their oral health. It is therefore important to increase oral health awareness among rural people.