Knowledge, Attitudes towards Prosthodontics Rehabilitation and Utilization of Dental Services among Songadh and Amargadh Population

The Prosthodontic health status and Prosthodontic rehabilitation needs of Songadh and Amargadh local population were not well documented. To evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude, and behavior of a group of Bhavnagar population towards Prosthodontic rehabilitation and the factors that preventing them from the treatment. Knowledge and perceived needs of subjects regarding Prosthodontics play an important role in their acceptance to prosthetic rehabilitation. A self-designed questionnaire containing nine questions was designed and reasons for choosing or refusing treatments were measured using Likert scale. A survey of 249 randomly selected subjects was conducted among the patients and relatives reported to the College of Dental Sciences, Amargadh, Gujarat. Collected data were statistically analysed using SPSS V.19 for descriptive statistics along with Chi-squared test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Age was ranging from 20 to 84 years with a mean age of 54.13+13.797 years with 55.8% males and 44.2% females. Out of the 249 participants, 95.4% had heard about Prosthodontic rehabilitation as a dental treatment modality, with no statistical significance difference between males and females (P=0.078). Out of these, 84.4% people with missing teeth only 47.4% people were willing to undergo treatment if needed. Individual perception of potential reasons for treatment selection was the most important determinants of patients’ decisions based on knowledge, awareness and motivation. By conducting this study the individual perception and potential reasons behind treatment selection and its relation to patient’s knowledge, awareness and motivation can be assessed. The findings can be used in improving patient’s motivation and leading them to a favorable decision making.