Will Dental Insurance Improve Dental Attendance? Exploring the Patients’ Perspective Attending Outpatient Services of a Dental OPD in Odisha: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Not at all like most western nations, particular dental insurance is not regular in India. In India, oral health is ordinarily incorporated with the general medical coverage plans. In any case, with developing awareness about dental care among consumers, there is a requirement for dental coverage. The study was conducted to explore the opinion of patients visiting a dental institution regarding usefulness of dental insurance in availing dental treatments. Material and Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 326 randomly selected individuals, 132 males and 194 females visiting a dental OPD in Balangir (Odisha). Data were collected by a self-administered structured, pretested questionnaire in Oriya language consisting of 15 closed-ended questions concerning socio-demographic characteristics, frequency of visiting a dentist, importance of oral health and dental insurance. The data was described and analysed by frequency distribution and chi square test with P<0.05 level of significance. Results: More than half of the patients (N=286, 87.73%) believed dental treatment to be expensive. As compared to the males, majority of the females (N=182, 55.82%) believed that having a health insurance makes expenditure on health less costly. This difference in gender was statistically significant (P<0.05). 90.79% patients believed that introduction of a reliable dental insurance will provide impetus to see a dentist. Conclusion: Dental insurance would fill in as a decent inspiration to the general population to routinely visit the dental specialist and this thus serves as a compelling preventive measure. Dental profession should urge to the strategy producers to have valuable dental protection plans for the masses.

Keywords: Dental insurance, dental, visit, cross-sectional survey

Cite this Article

Nupur Sharma. Will Dental Insurance Improve Dental Attendance? Exploring the Patients’ Perspective Attending Outpatient Services of a Dental OPD in Odisha: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Dentistry. 2018; 9(1): 11–17p.