Perception of Delivery of Dental Services Among Public and Private Dental Clinics Attendees in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

The continuous utilization of oral health facilities in both public and private dental clinics is influenced by perception of oral health care providers’ attitude and conduct among the different strata of persons living in Benin City and its environs. The purpose of this research was to assess how patients’ opinion of the conduct and disposition of oral care providers affect their continuous utilization of oral health facilities in both public and private dental clinics in Benin City and its environs. This cross-sectional study was carried out among patients attending public and private dental clinics in Benin City. Pre-tested questionnaire which elicited information on demographic characteristics, oral health awareness, pattern of dental attendance, treatment pattern, duration of dental problem and reason for delayed presentation. Data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 and test for significance was done using chi-square statistics or Fisher’s exact test. 94/116 (81.03%) in public and 68/80 (85.00%) in private stated that care providers conduct was pleasant while 14/116 (12.07%) of respondents in public sector and 6/80 (7.50%) in private sector claimed that care providers conduct was rude. Most of the respondents: 95/113 (84.07%) in public and 64/77 (83.12%) in the private sector claimed that the conduct of care providers will not hinder them from continuous usage of the health facilities. 68/113 (60.18%) of respondents in public and 44/79 (55.70%) in private sector stated that the cost of treatment was expensive. Majority of clinical attendees: 71/115 (61.74%) in public and 54/79 (68.35%) in private sectors believe that the cost will not hinder their continuous utilization of the facilities. Majority of respondents: 60/112 (53.57%) in public and 53/80 (66.25%) in private sector stated that care providers explained the cause(s) of tooth problems. There was significant differences (p<0.05) between public and private respondents assessment of care provider’s explanation on the cause(s) of tooth problems. Continuous utilization of oral health facilities in both public and private dental clinics is higher with people with more perception of the high quality of care given by oral care givers in Benin City, Nigeria. Quality time spent on explaining the cause, effect and preventive measures of dental diseases and Attractive disposition of oral care providers are the keys to the continuous usage of oral health facilities in the studied area.