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Research article
Nkolika Uguru
Health Policy Research Group, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu campus
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4643-5160
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
Dental caries, despite improvement in oral health across the globe, is still a large contributor to the global burden of oral diseases and a major public health concern. In Enugu state Nigeria, there is minimal access to adequate and proper oral health care. This study examined the determinants of dental caries treatment provision and the challenges of providing equitable access to oral health care.
Method
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in three local government areas in Enugu state Nigeria. The study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The determinants of supply of dental caries treatment services were explored with a focus on provider behaviour, cost of dental services, human resource availability and availability of dental equipment.
Results
Five factors determine what dental caries treatment service is provided viz: cost of raw materials (100%), human resources (98.1%), geographical location (98.1), Government policies (88%) and price of other goods (80.8%). Inadequate awareness and knowledge, high cost of treatment services, inadequately skilled staff, poor government funding and policy for oral health, limited primary healthcare facilities offering dental treatment services and poor knowledge of dental caries treatment options are factors that determine dental service provision and equally influence access to oral health care. There are still a limited number of dental facilities in the country with a growing need for dental caries treatment/services and other dental issues.
Conclusion
Adequate access to oral health care services is a major concern that affects all aspects of healthcare and a determining factor in the country’s drive to achieve universal health coverage. In order to address this, there is a need to incorporate oral health into the general health care system. Dental health facilities need to be strategically located and properly equipped with materials, equipment and adequate skilled staff.
Keywords
Dental caries, Oral health, caries treatment/services, oral healthcare provision
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Oral Health.
No community comments so far
Review #2 received
Received 22 Apr, 2020
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 22 Apr, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 04 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 25 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 25 Mar, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 22 Mar, 2020
Editor assigned
On 18 Mar, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 17 Mar, 2020
Editor invited
On 17 Mar, 2020
Version 1
Posted 21 Jan, 2020
No comments provided
Review #2 received
Received 17 Feb, 2020
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 17 Feb, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 15 Feb, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 03 Feb, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 02 Feb, 2020
Editor assigned
On 31 Jan, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 31 Jan, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 16 Jan, 2020
Editor invited
On 16 Jan, 2020
First submitted
On 15 Jan, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
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A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
See the published version of this preprint at BMC Oral Health.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Nkolika Uguru
Health Policy Research Group, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu campus
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4643-5160
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Oral Health.
No community comments so far
Review #2 received
Received 22 Apr, 2020
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 22 Apr, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 04 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 25 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 25 Mar, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 22 Mar, 2020
Editor assigned
On 18 Mar, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 17 Mar, 2020
Editor invited
On 17 Mar, 2020
Version 1
Posted 21 Jan, 2020
No comments provided
Review #2 received
Received 17 Feb, 2020
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 17 Feb, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 15 Feb, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 03 Feb, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 02 Feb, 2020
Editor assigned
On 31 Jan, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 31 Jan, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 16 Jan, 2020
Editor invited
On 16 Jan, 2020
First submitted
On 15 Jan, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at BMC Oral Health.
Background
Dental caries, despite improvement in oral health across the globe, is still a large contributor to the global burden of oral diseases and a major public health concern. In Enugu state Nigeria, there is minimal access to adequate and proper oral health care. This study examined the determinants of dental caries treatment provision and the challenges of providing equitable access to oral health care.
Method
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in three local government areas in Enugu state Nigeria. The study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The determinants of supply of dental caries treatment services were explored with a focus on provider behaviour, cost of dental services, human resource availability and availability of dental equipment.
Results
Five factors determine what dental caries treatment service is provided viz: cost of raw materials (100%), human resources (98.1%), geographical location (98.1), Government policies (88%) and price of other goods (80.8%). Inadequate awareness and knowledge, high cost of treatment services, inadequately skilled staff, poor government funding and policy for oral health, limited primary healthcare facilities offering dental treatment services and poor knowledge of dental caries treatment options are factors that determine dental service provision and equally influence access to oral health care. There are still a limited number of dental facilities in the country with a growing need for dental caries treatment/services and other dental issues.
Conclusion
Adequate access to oral health care services is a major concern that affects all aspects of healthcare and a determining factor in the country’s drive to achieve universal health coverage. In order to address this, there is a need to incorporate oral health into the general health care system. Dental health facilities need to be strategically located and properly equipped with materials, equipment and adequate skilled staff.
Figure 1
Figure 2
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
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