Factors Contributing to Dental Caries Among Patients Attending Dental Clinic at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital in Soroti District.

Abstract

IntroductionGlobally, dental caries affects 2 billion people worldwide, and good oral health is important to maintain proper functioning teeth, ensure good breath, and improve nutrition. The study aimed to assess the factors contributing to dental caries among patients attending a dental clinic at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. The specific objectives is to assess the level of knowledge and dental carries prevention practices of patients attending dental clinic at SRRH Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study design using a quantitative method of data collection was used to carry out the study. A sample of 130 respondents who were attending dental clinics was enrolled using a convenient sampling method. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and presented as descriptive data using frequency tables, pie charts, bar charts, and line graphs. ResultsThe majority of respondents 71% were females. Respondents had moderate knowledge of dental caries as 102 (78.5%) respondents had ever heard about dental caries. 55.4% of respondents knew about dental flossing and the majority 64.6% knew that dental caries needed treatment. The practices were generally poor as the majority 88% of respondents had never flossed their teeth and the majority 74% didn't regularly brush their teeth after every meal. ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of dental caries and the majority supported that there is a need for treatment however most of the participants reported that there is no need for dental checkups. RecommendationThere is a need to create more awareness about oral health. There is also a need to encourage regular brushing of teeth after every meal and also encourage dental checkups. In conclusion, there was a moderate level of knowledge towards dental caries among respondents but the practices towards oral care were poor.