IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 17, Issue 2 Ver. 12 February. (2018), PP 13-20 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1702121320 www.iosrjournals.org 13 | Page Reasons for seeking oral prophylaxis in a tertiary institution. Akhionbare O, Ehizele AO. Department of Periodontics, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Corresponding author: Dr A.O Ehizele Abstract Objective:The objective of this study is to determine the reasons for seeking oral prophylaxis and the relationship between such reasons and patients’ socio-demographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices, clinical features of periodontal diseases and their mode of payment for the procedure. Methodology:This retrospective study was carried out using the hospital records of 351 patients who had oral prophylaxis done. The information retrieved from the hospital record includes socio-demographic data such as age, sex, marital status and socioeconomic class, reasons for seeking oral prophylaxis, history of past routine cleaning, frequency of tooth brushing, tooth brushing method, clinical features of periodontal diseases and other dental treatment needs. The mode of payment for the procedure was also noted. Results: Majority among non-smokers (54.6%), persons who do not consume diets that can cause extrinsic stains (54.1%), persons with tooth surface irregularities (53.3%), and persons without tetracycline stains (54.0%) had a history of routine oral prophylaxis. While majority in the younger age groups were likely to present for routine oral prophylaxis, other persons in the age group >60 years had oral prophylaxis done as part of periodontal disease management (38.6%) and in preparation for other dental procedures (43.2 %) (P= 0.011). The proportion that had routine oral prophylaxis reduced from socioeconomic class 1 to class 4 but the greatest proportion (63.5%) was among the lowest class (class5). A greater proportion of smokers than nonsmokers had oral prophylaxis in preparation for other dental procedures (P= 0.009). Persons who had a history of past routine oral prophylaxis, those who brush only once a day and those who had no clinical features of periodontal diseases were more likely to present for routine oral prophylaxis. Older persons and persons in higher socioeconomic class were more likely to make ‘out of pocket payment for oral prophylaxis. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is a significantrelationship between an individual’s socio- demographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices, and clinical features of periodontal diseases and their reasons for seeking oral prophylaxis and mode of payment for the procedure. Keywords: Oral prophylaxis, reasons, mode of payment --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 06-02-2018 Date of acceptance: 24-02-2018 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Oral diseases are largely preventable through plaque control instituted by the individual and augmented by dental professionals. The professionally performed scaling and polishing is a preventive measure controlling local aetiological factors of periodontal diseases and it is expected to be routinely done to create light reflective surfaces on the tooth enamel and dental restorations. 2 Previously conducted systematic review, though inconclusive, did not identify any harm, damaged to tooth surfaces or tooth sensitivity.as result of the routine professional cleaning. 3,4 The procedure ideally should be available, affordable and accessible to the entire population and should be properly integrated in the primary oral health programmes. 5 However, the reality is that only a small proportion of most populations see the dentist regularly for routine professional cleaning. 6-9 Therefore, it is important to know the motivating factor among the patients who do so. It is necessary to determine if individuals who have scaling and polishing done presented because they were asked to do so as part of their overall treatment plan. It is possible that many individuals will not undergo scaling and polishing unless they have other symptoms whose prognosis or treatment outcome depend on removal of plaque and calculus. 10 It is also necessary to determine if individuals presented for routine professional cleaning because of a perceived benefit. Were they dental students‟ patient who benefited from free treatment scheme? Did they present because the procedure is covered by National Health Insurance Scheme, in which case there was no out pocket payment? Did they present for the procedure as part of their preparation for a special occasion? It has been suggested that individual‟s perception of susceptibility to disease and perception of seriousness of the disease have enough strength to improve utilization of health services. 11 It can therefore be expected that periodic regular dental visits will be a norm among those who believe they are susceptible to dental diseases or consider dental diseases a serious problem. It is necessary to confirm if this is so in our