Assessment of Dental Service Gap in Rural Communities in Gombe State

Access to basic dental care in rural North East Nigeria is severely limited, and documenting the service gap provides evidence for health system strengthening and community dentistry policy. This study assessed the dental service gap in rural communities in Akko, Shongom, and Funakaye Local Government Areas, Gombe State, North East Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 adults and children across 20 randomly selected villages. A structured questionnaire assessed dental problem experience, last dental visit, reason for non-attendance, and nearest dental facility distance. Clinical examination assessed DMFT and CPI for a subsample of 200 adults. Results showed that 68.3 percent reported a current or recent dental problem, primarily pain and mobile teeth. Only 9.8 percent had ever visited a dentist. The nearest dental facility was more than 30 kilometres from the community for 61.0 percent of participants. The mean DMFT was 2.89. Untreated caries dominated the DMFT composition, with filled teeth representing fewer than 2 percent. Awareness of available dental services was very limited. Traditional methods were used by 74.5 percent for dental pain management. CPI scores showed calculus deposits in 62.0 percent of examined adults. Recommendations include mobile dental clinics for rural Gombe communities, training of primary health care workers in basic dental screening and referral, and inclusion of oral health in the Gombe State Community Health Programme.

Keywords: dental service gap, rural communities, Gombe State, access to dental care, untreated caries