- Title
- Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the treatment options for dental caries among the adult patients for dental caries in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Creator
- Veleekizhakethil, Legy
- Subject
- Dental caries
- Subject
- Periodontics
- Date Issued
- 2021-11
- Date
- 2021-11
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22968
- Identifier
- vital:53257
- Description
- Dentistry offers several caries-preventive measures, some of which emphasise not only patient’s responsibility to manage their disease, but also how dental professionals should manage it. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adult patients towards treatment options relating to dental caries in the geographical context of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, situated in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Purpose Firstly, this quantitative study set out to assess the existing oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices among an adult population visiting dental health facilities in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Secondly, it aimed to examine the prevalence of dental caries, periodontal diseases and tooth associated diseases in this specific setting. Furthermore, the study sought to provide baseline data in order to organise a successful dental prevention programme. The data obtained will determine the layout of policies to be put forward to the Department of Health. Methodology The researcher took a quantitative approach and conducted descriptive surveys from November 2019 to March 2020. A close-ended, structured questionnaire for data collection was designed based on the aspects of knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviour pertaining to the area of dental caries. A clinical examination of dental status was performed using dental probes, dental mirrors and tooth air-drying. All decay, and missing, filled or restored teeth due to dental caries, along with the presence of calculus, gingival, and periodontal lesions were recorded. Results Participants had an average knowledge score of 80percent with a 95percent confidence interval of (76percent; 84percent). The majority knew the importance of cleaning their teeth (88.9percent), were aware of the effects of sugary diets (80.7percent), avoided sugary foods (64.6percent), and lastly were aware of the causes of dental caries (71.3percent). However it is concerning that most had never visited a dentist, as reflected by 69.1percent of participants agreeing or strongly agreeing. At least 70percent of those who responded were satisfied with their dentists in that they ( the dentists) freely share ideas and opinions and provide advice on options for dental care. The study revealed a high prevalence of dental caries with a ratio of 6.23. Conclusions The majority of the participants affirmed the importance of visiting the dentist for a routine dental examination. In addition, the majority are aware that sugary diets are associated with dental caries. However, there is a high prevalence of dental caries among participants in this setting. Therefore, dentists should provide preventive measures, along with professional restorative and plaque removal, to curb the burden of dental caries and periodontal diseases. The type and extent of preventive measures must be adjusted according to the patient’s individual needs. Dental health professionals must collaborate with other health-care providers to promote preventive dental health.
- Description
- Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (108 leaves)
- Format
- Publisher
- University of Fort Hare
- Publisher
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- University of Fort Hare
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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UFH Department of Public Health
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Veleekizhakethil _201813661_Mini Dissertation.pdf | 3 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |