مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - EVALUATION OF MOBILE DENTAL HEALTH SERVICE DEMAND IN ÇUKUROVA REGION

Abstract :

Objective: The objective of this project was to evaluate the consciousness of people about oral health and determine the necessity of mobile dental services in Çukurova Region. Material and Method: Villages which are not more than 20 km away from Adana city center were selected. The headmen of four villages (Alihocalı, Çotlu, Kılıçlı, Şıhmurat) with the highest population were called. The houses to be surveyed were randomly selected. Surveys were conducted on a total of 411 people, 204 women and 207 men, by five intern students studying at Çukurova University, Faculty of Dentistry. Results: Health insurance of 37% (152 people) of surveyed people were from the Social Insurance Institution, 22.9% (94 people) were from selfemployed institution, 3.2%(13 people) were from pension-fund, 14.6%(60 people) were green card holders, 22.4%(92 persons) didn’t have health insurance. Out of 411 people 22 were only literate, 278 and 49 people graduated from primary and secondary school, respectively. 14 people studied higher education and 48 people were unable to read or write. Forty two (171 people) of the participants were housewives, 18% (74 persons) were farmers and 3.2% (13 people) were unemployed. None of the surveyed villages had dentist. Oral health services they can get were far from villages. The income of the surveyed people was not high enough to finance dental services. People who were surveyed were unconscious about the importance of oral health and 63.7% (262 people) of the surveyed people didn’t establish teeth brushing habit. Conclusion: People who were included in the survey had serious problems about taking oral health services. Transportation and financial conditions of the citizens were main problems. An active permanent solution and a mobile oral health project which gives people opportunity to receive dental treatment can solve the main problem.