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Utilisation of dental services among a Turkish population in Witten, Germany
1Ege University, Centre for Drug R&D and Pharmacokinetic Applications, Izmir, Turkey. ugur@med.ege.edu.tr
Aim:
To describe the oral health status and the dental service use pattern of a Turkish population in Witten, Germany, and to assess the factors affecting this use pattern.
Design:
Cross-sectional.
Participants:
532 Turkish people older than 12 years.
Methods:
The data were obtained through a structured questionnaire and oral examination. The World Health Organisation methodology was followed in assessing the oral health status.
Results:
Comparison of the study population with German studies showed a similar caries experience in younger groups, but in older groups a lower treatment level. The proportion of regular dental attendees indicated no difference according to age. A person was more likely to use dental services regularly if he had a better level of German language and preferred German services. Perceived oral condition, educational level and sex were also important for care pattern. Regular use of services was negatively associated with the mean number of decayed, missing and periodontally involved teeth, but positively related to the number of filled teeth.
Conclusions:
Since factors reflecting the level of adaptation to Germany were also important determinants of the dental utilisation pattern, efforts to improve the utilisation of services should be based on the socio-educational development of Turkish people in Germany.