Periodontal treatment need, interdental cleaning habit and dental services utilization of a Nigerian population

Objective: Optimal home-use plaque-control measure maintains a functional dentition and reduces the risk of loss of periodontal attachment throughout life. The combination of toothbrushing and inter-proximal oral hygiene devices optimally prevents plaque accumulation. Individual’s attitude, lack of awareness and affordability are barriers for the utilization of dental services. This study evaluated the interdental cleaning habits; periodontal treatment needs and dental service utilization of a Nigerian population. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain information on socio-demographics, use of interdental cleaning aid and health services utilization of participants. A full-mouth examination was done to assess the periodontal status and the treatment needs of the participants using the CPITN probe. Data was analyzed using Epi info 2008 version 3.5.1. Result: Only 24.4% of the participants who claimed to clean interdentally actually used dental floss and interdental brushes) while majority of them ({160(71.2%)} used toothpicks. Three out of five participants {49(59%)} who do not clean interdentally, didn’t know that they had to do so. Though 284(92.2%) of the participants do not routinely access oral care, almost half (49.7%) had previous dental check-ups, scaling and polishing, tooth extractions and restorations. 44(14.3%) did not need periodontal treatment, 131(42.5%) needed Oral Hygiene Instruction (OHI) and Scaling and Polishing (S&P) and 19(6.2%) needed OHI, S&P and sub-gingival scaling. Conclusion: Dental services utilization was low until they perceived that they have a dental ailment, appropriate interdental aids were not used and knowledge on the need for interdental cleaning and advance periodontal treatment need of the participants were low.