Prevalence and socioeconomic factors associated with non‐utilization of dental care in Lebanon: A nationwide cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of non‐utilization of dental care in Lebanon and associated socioeconomic factors and self‐care behaviours.MethodsA nationwide, quantitative, survey‐based study was conducted by trained interviewers with Lebanese residents aged ≥18 years between July and September 2019. Univariate analyses were performed using Pearson Chi Square test or the Fisher's exact test followed by a binary logistic regression using the SPSS Version 25.ResultsOf the 1070 participants, 247 (23.1%) did not utilise any type of healthcare and 144/247 (58.3%) did not utilise dental care. The prevalence of non‐utilization of dental care was estimated at 13.5%. Only 4.7% of the respondents consulted their dentist in the past year, among which 53% cited pain/emergencies as the reason for their consultation. Socioeconomic factors associated with the non‐utilization of dental care were lack of social medical insurance (OR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.31 to 0.79]) and long waiting time/patient time restriction (OR, 2.05 [95% CI, 1.26 to 3.35]). On the other hand, facilitators for utilization of dental care included ethical standards/personal qualities of the dentist (OR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.32 to 0.88]) and convenient cost with respect to the individual's economic status (OR, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.18 to 0.43]).ConclusionThis study suggests that dental care practices in Lebanon, including the non‐utilization of dental care, are suboptimal. Measures such as reducing sugar and tobacco consumption, providing information on oral hygiene, and using fluoride products are inexpensive; however, implementing these measures may take substantial time and input by multiple stakeholders.