Abstract:

This study aimed to evaluate the level of awareness and practice of biannual recommended dental clinic visits among the Gweta village population in Botswana.  This was a cross-sectional study. A multivariate analysis was performed utilising binary logistic regression to assess the association between the independent variables under consideration and both awareness and practice of the recommended biannual dental clinic visits (BDCV). Of the 386 participants, one-third (n = 66, 29.7) were aware of the recommended BDCV, and approximately two-thirds (n = 131, 59.0%) reported attending a dental clinic twice a year. Among those who reported being aware of the recommended BDCV, only 25 (11.3%) implemented the recommendation. More than half (n = 227, 58.8%) of individuals reported good toothbrushing oral hygiene practice, and 288 (74.6%) indicated appropriate toothbrushing oral hygiene frequency (two times per day). One hundred and seventy-seven participants (45.9%) reported good dental hygiene practices. Approximately three in ten (n = 137, 35.5%) individuals reported smoking, whereas six in ten (n = 241, 62.4%) reported using alcohol. There was a significant difference in the percentage of people who identified the importance of oral health for quality of life (94.1% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.009). Individuals who recognised the impact of oral health on quality of life were found to have a threefold higher likelihood of being aware of and adhering to the recommended biannual dental clinic visits (OR = 3.086, 95% CI 1.179–8.077). We propose a health system research project to implement evidence-based health promotion and education programs to improve oral health services and lifestyles.

References:

[1].   World Health Organisation, 2022, Global Oral Health Status Report: Towards Universal Health Coverage for Oral Health by 2030.

[2].   Dosumu, T. O., Betiku, A., Ademuyiwa, G., Olabisi, O., Adebisi, T., & Oyekale, R., 2022, Oral Hygiene Practices and Factors Influencing the Choice of Oral Hygiene Materials Among Undergraduates in Selected Universities in Osun State, Nigeria, Journal of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Research, 16(4), 137–142.

[3].   Umanah, A., Braimoh, O., 2017, Oral Hygiene Practices and Factors Influencing the Choice of Oral Hygiene Materials Among Undergraduate Students at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, Journal of Dental and Allied Sciences, 6, 3.

[4].   Anthonappa, R., King, N., 2008, Six-Month Recall Dental Appointments, for all Children, are (un)Justifiable, Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 33(1), 1–8.

[5].   Amarasena, N., Luzzi, L., Brennan, D., 2023, Effect of Different Frequencies of Dental Visits on Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease: A Scoping Review, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(19), 6858.

[6].   Fee, P. A., Riley, P., Worthington, H. V., Clarkson, J. E., Boyers, D., & Beirne, P. V., 2020, Recall Intervals for Oral Health in Primary Care Patients, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 (10).

[7].   Glick, M., da Silva, O. M., Seeberger, G. K., Xu, T., Pucca, G., Williams, D. M., Séverin, T., 2012, FDI Vision 2020: Shaping the Future of Oral Health, International dental journal, 62(6), 278.

[8].   Woolfolk, M. W., Lang, W. P., Borgnakke, W. S., Taylor, G. W., Ronis, D. L., Nyquist, L. V., 1999, Determining Dental Checkup Frequency, The Journal of the American Dental Association, 130(5), 715–723.

[9].   Schneider, C., Zemp, E., & Zitzmann, N. U., 2019, Dental Care Behaviour in Switzerland. Swiss Dent J, 129(6), 466–478.

[10].  Kuthy, R. A., Kavand, G., Momany, E. T., Jones, M. P., Askelson, N. M., Chi, D. L., Damiano, P. C., 2013, Periodicity of Dental Recall Visits for Young Children First Seen in Community Health Centers. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 73(4), 271–279.

[11].  Jessani, A., Quadri, M. F. A., Lefoka, P., El-Rabbany, A., Hooper, K., Lim, H. J., Laronde, D. M., 2021, Oral Health Status and Patterns of Dental Service Utilisation of Adolescents in Lesotho, Southern Africa, Children, 8(2), 120.

[12].  Sohn, W., Ismail, A., Amaya, A., & Lepkowski, J., 2007, Determinants of Dental Care Visits Among Low-Income African-American Children. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 138(3), 309–318.

[13].  Varenne, B., Msellati, P., Zoungrana, C., Fournet, F., & Salem, G., 2005, Reasons for Attending Dental-Care Services in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Bulletin of the World Health Organisation, 83(9), 650–655.

[14].  Yumpu.com. (n.d.). 2011, Population and Housing Census. Yumpu.Com. Retrieved, 2024, from https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/63039123/2011-population-and-housing-census

[15].  Bartlett, J. E., Kotrlik, J. W., & Higgins, C. C., (n.d.). Organisational Research: Determining Appropriate Sample Size in Survey Research.

[16].  Botswana Ministry of Health, 2010, Botswana Essential Health Services Packages.

[17].  MacKian, S., n. d. A review of Health Seeking Behaviour: Problems and Prospects. University of Manchester, Health Systems Development Programme.

[18].  Hanemann, U., 2006, Literacy in Botswana. Paper Commissioned for the EFA Global Monitoring Report.

[19].  FDI World Dental Federation, 2024, Alcohol as a Risk for Oral Health, International Dental Journal, 74(1), 165–166.

[20].  Baiju, R., Peter, E., Varghese, N., & Sivaram, R., 2017, Oral Health and Quality of Life: Current Concepts, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR, 11(6), ZE21–ZE26.

[21].  Yap, A., 2017, Oral Health Equals Total Health: A Brief Review, Journal of Dentistry Indonesia, 24(2), 59–62.