Investigation of delay in utilization of government dental services in Malaysia

Jaafar, N. and Jalalluddin, R.L. and Razak, I.A. and Esa, R. (1992) Investigation of delay in utilization of government dental services in Malaysia. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 20 (3). pp. 144-147. ISSN 0301-5661, DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1992.tb01549.x.

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Abstract

Although delays in seeking dental care among patients are frequently observed in daily practice, this problem has never been investigated in other utilization studies. This study attempts to establish the magnitude and severity of the problem of delay in a delivery system where cost is not a major barrier to utilization. 555 users of Government dental services were interviewed. Only 37 of them came promptly within 6 days of perceiving a dental need. The majority (63) had delayed their dental visit for more than 1 week. In fact, the highest frequency of delay was for more than 1 month. Prompt attendance was found to be associated with people who regularly came for asymptomatic check-ups. In contrast. more than 50 of those who thought they needed fillings and extractions had delayed their visit for more than a month. The main causes of delays were attributed to work commitments and the lack of perceived need for urgent care. Barriers related to transport or financial problems were ranked verv low. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Additional Information: ISI Document Delivery No.: HX294 Times Cited: 2 Cited Reference Count: 26 Cited References: MAK KKY, 1990, COMMUNITY DENT ORAL, V18, P190, DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1990.tb00054.x JAAFAR N, 1989, Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore, V18, P553 JALALLUDDIN RL, 1989, INT ASS DENT RES SE, P42 Razak I A, 1988, J Ir Dent Assoc, V34, P95 MAK KKY, 1988, THESIS U HONG KONG D, P171 Gift H C, 1988, Int Dent J, V38, P147 RAZAK IA, 1987, COMMUNITY DENT ORAL, V15, P188, DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1987.tb00516.x LOCKER D, 1987, COMMUNITY DENT ORAL, V15, P169, DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1987.tb00508.x Cohen L K, 1987, Int Dent J, V37, P114 NETTLETON S, 1986, BRIT DENT J, V161, P145, DOI 10.1038/sj.bdj.4805912 1986, SOCIAL STATISTICS B TODD JE, 1985, CHILDRENS DENTAL HLT GIFT HC, 1984, SOCIAL SCI DENTISTRY, V2, P202 BRODY EM, 1983, GERONTOLOGIST, V23, P75 STRIFFLER DF, 1983, DENT DENT PRACTICE C, P293 BRODY EM, 1983, J AM GERIATR SOC, V31, P489 DAVIS P, 1982, INT DENT J, V32, P271 WALT G, 1981, INTRO PRIMARY HLTH C BRODY EM, 1981, J AM GERIATR SOC, V29, P442 1980, WHO53 OFFS PUBL 1979, DENTAL HABITS OPINIO Douglass C W, 1979, J Dent Educ, V43, P223 COHEN LK, 1978, INT DENT J, V28, P383 MILLER J, 1975, BRIT DENT J, V139, P327, DOI 10.1038/sj.bdj.4803605 NEWMAN JF, 1972, 30 U CHIC CTR HLTH A GERSON LW, 1972, CAN DENT ASSOC J, V10, P370 Jaafar, n jalalluddin, rl razak, ia esa, r Munksgaard int publ ltd Copenhagen
Uncontrolled Keywords: Dental services research utilization physical health symptoms older-people
Subjects: R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Divisions: Faculty of Dentistry > Dept of Community Dentistry
Depositing User: Mr Ahmad Azwan Azman
Date Deposited: 13 Jul 2012 01:49
Last Modified: 13 Jul 2012 01:49
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/3495

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