Oral and general seeking pattern behavior among adult dental patients

Abstract

There is a need to identify the reasons why individuals do not attend regular medical checkups and to assess the main sources for health information. In this cross-sectional study were included 110 dental patients (50% females), with mean age of 51.25 years (SD±12.26) from Bucharest. The participants completed an anonymous questionnaire with items related to their dental visits habits and the main sources of medical information. Results: most of the patients (71.8%) used to visit the dentist for emergency reasons, especially patients with low level of education and reduced self-assessed socio-economic status. The main source of oral health information is the dentist (70%) and for general health, the physician (73.6%). Conclusion: there is a need for active involvement of dentists and general practitioners in the health education of their patients.