Gerontologie und Geriatrieforschung

Abstrakt

Possible Barriers towards Seeking Dental Treatment for the Indian Elders: A Questionnaire Study

Gouri V Anehosur, Namita Singh* and Ramesh K Nadiger

This is a study to determine the possible barriers towards seeking dental treatment for the Indian elders and get an insight into the attitude of the elders towards their dental health problem. A total of 100 geriatric patients seeking oral health care above the age of 60 years were enrolled for the study from the outpatient Department of Prosthodontics and Geriatric dentistry, SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka. A questionnaire consisting of one key question and 12 questions categorized into 4 sections as a) attitude towards oral health, b) family dental history, c) family attitude and d) finance was given to each participant. Results obtained were put to statistical analysis. Pearson chi-square and Likelihood-ratio chi-square were carried out and it was observed that there is a strong association between the four barriers as p = 0.000 < 0.05. It was concluded that there is a low ‘felt need’ which calls for improving the awareness among elders and motivating them to use the services available for them so that they lead a socially and economically productive life. Also the family attitude towards the patient especially with regard to the presence or absence of spouse has been identified as a major barrier in our study.