1Postgraduate Student, Department of Public Health dentistry, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Tamilnadu-119
2Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Ponamallee, Chennai
3Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Tamilnadu-119
4Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Tamilnadu
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Lakshmi Krishnan, Postgraduate Student, SH 109, ECR, Uthandi, Tamil Nadu-119, e-mail: lakshmi.krish24@gmail.com
Online published on 27 March, 2020.
This study explores the association between the sociodemographic factors of the urban slum dwellers with unmet dental needs and dental service utilization pattern.
A cross sectional study conducted among 430 slum dwellers of Chennai city.. Using a structured proforma socioeconomic data was collected. DMFT, TI(Treatment Index) and TNI (Treatment Need Index) were recorded.
About 59.9% of them had never utilised dental services. Income was found to have a direct relation with Treatment need index. Education and occupation had a moderating effect.
From the present study we can conclude that overall utilisation of dental services is low among slum dwellers. However income is the main detrimental sociodemographic factor in the minds of the people living in slum areas.
Socioeconomic status, slum dwellers, DMFT, dental services, Utilisation, Unmet needs
