Influential factors of wardens in taking school children to get dental services at Takfa Hospital, Nakhon Sawan

Abstract

This study aimed to find out school children wardens' influential factors to bring children to get dental treatment at Takfa hospital. Obtained data would be fruitful to improve the accessibility to dental services of school children. The study was done in school year of 2006-2007. Questionnaires were passed to 700 wardens by school children. 640 questionnaires were returned and completed (91.4 %). Statistics used were percentage and chi squire. Results showed that 90.6 % of wardens were parents. 93.4 % feared to have dental treatment. Most of respondents had good attitude towards dental personnel of their ability, polite and friendly manner, and clean and safety clinics (79.1%, 75.9%, 94.4% respectively). In term of services provision, 23.4 % stated dental services took short time with short waiting list. The wardens of children who never got dental treatment were relatives 2.4 times more than those whose children were treated. They thought that it took 1.6 lesser time for waiting. Influential factors of wardens in bringing children to get dental treatment that statistical significantly (0.05) were: parenthoods, wardens' attitude that school teachers should take responsibility in bringing children to get dental treatment, and short waiting time for dental treatment.