Access to root canal treatment in a Nigerian sub-population: assessment of the effect of dental health insurance.

Idon, Paul Ikhodaro; Sotunde, Olawale Akeem; Ogundare, Temiloluwa Olawale; Yusuf, Janada; Makanjuola, John Oluwatosin; Mohammed, Abdulmumini; Igweagu, Chibuzor Emmanuel; Alalade, Olusegun

Background The final pathway of tooth mortality lies between tooth extraction, and the more expensive and less accessible root canal treatment (RCT). Aim To determine the extent to which individuals' financial resources as measured by socioeconomic status and dental insurance coverage affects their access to RCT. Methods A hospital-based study that used a 15-item questionnaire to collect data among patients scheduled for RCT. All scheduled subjects (N = 291) over a one-year period constituted the sample for the study. Using the SPSS software, associations between the subjects' variables, and the dental insurance status were carried out with Chi square and independent t test respectively at 95% confidence interval. Results Two hundred and ninety-one subjects were to have 353 RCTs within the study period. A high proportion (79.7%, p < 0.001) of the subjects had dental health insurance, majority (95.3%) of which was government funded. 20.9% of those with previous tooth loss was due to inability to afford cost of RCT. The lowest socioeconomic group had the highest proportion (90%, p = 0.421) of insured that visited for RCT. Conclusion Dental insurance increased access to RCT. Socioeconomic status did not affect dental insurance status and dental visit for RCT.