Barriers to Dental Service Utilization Among Adults in Akure Metropolis, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Utilization of dental services remains low in many developing countries despite the availability of oral-health facilities. This study assessed barriers to and identified predictors of dental service utilization among adults in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria.

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 480 adults selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 26. Dental-service utilization was defined as having visited a dental clinic at least once within the preceding 12 months. Descriptive statistics summarized variables, while Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression identified factors associated with utilization at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Although 81.7% of respondents were aware of dental clinics, only 39.0% were aware of preventive dental services. While 57.1% had ever visited a dentist, only 27.9% reported utilization within the past 12 months, with most visits being symptom-driven. Major barriers included high cost of care (73.1%), fear of dental pain (62.1%), and long waiting times (51.0%). Educational level and monthly income were significantly associated with service utilization (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher education, higher income, and awareness of preventive services significantly increased the likelihood of utilization, whereas fear of dental pain reduced it.

Dental service utilization in Akure Metropolis appears low and largely ymptom-driven. Financial, informational, and psychological factors may act as barriers; however, given the cross-sectional design, these associations do not imply causality. Improving oral-health education, financial access, and service delivery may enhance utilization.