Community Members and Dentist Perceptions for Oral Treatment Seeking Behavior in an Underprivileged Area: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance affects generations. It is a major health issue. Resistance to antibiotics is on the rise globally. The absence of proper regulatory mechanism and free access to pharmaceutical agents have led to self-medication and inappropriate therapeutic and
 prophylactic prescription.
 Methods: Qualitative in-depth research was conducted using focus group discussions (FGDs) for data collection. The study was conducted in an underprivileged colony in Karachi, Pakistan. Community members and Dentist were part of the focus group discussion.
 Results: There were two major themes that emerged from the analysis. ‘Knowledge associated with common oral diseases and their consequences’ and ‘Home remedies and treatment seeking behavior’. The focus group discussions showed that the perceptions of community members and dentists was based on bad oral hygiene, lack of awareness of oral disease outcome and barriers in pursuing treatment by dentist There was a lack of Government healthcare facilities and poor professional attitudes and futile law enforcement regarding medicine dispensing and disposal.
 Conclusion: The value of this study is to understand the perceptions and determinants of health seeking behavior and recognize the reasons for use and misuse of antibiotics. There is a great need for Government intervention and inexpensive treatment for the masses.

Assessing dental students’ attitudes towards the dental care of the underserved in community

“…Some patients belonging to low socioeconomic status are unable to spend on dental treatment. They would rather find a charlatan if treatment were necessary and economical (Moideen et al, 2021). Although one of the barriers to acquiring dental service is the cost, students believe that this should not hinder the underprivileged from accessing the dental service they needed.…”