Barriers to access and utilization of dental services in the adult population of Twin Cities: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Oral hygiene is essential to overall health, influencing physical, mental, and social well-being. In spite of advancements in oral hygiene, significant inequalities remain, particularly in developing nations. This study aims to investigate the barriers to accessing and utilizing dental services in the adult population of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2024 to November 2024 in public and private dental clinics in the Twin Cities. An organized questionnaire appraised socio-demographic characteristics, behavioral traits, and barriers to dental service utilization. Results: The study population involved adult patients aged above 40 years, and data were analyzed using SPSS, with both descriptive and inferential statistical approaches. Out of 245 participants, 75.5% were from Rawalpindi and 24.5% from Islamabad, with a mean age of 50.2 years. Significant associations were found between socio-demographic factors and perceived barriers such as unaffordability and fear of dental treatment. Females, unemployed individuals, and those with lower education levels reported higher levels of dental anxiety and perceived barriers. The study highlights key demographic influences on dental service utilization and identifies financial constraints, anxiety, and social factors as major barriers. Conclusion: The analytic analysis of unaffordability indicates that gender, occupational status, and educational attainment are linked to the probability of financial constraint, as women, and in fact those persons working in lower-paying jobs or with a lower level of education, are more likely to suffer economic stress.