Access to and Utilization of Dental Care Services by Older Adults in Nigeria: Barriers and Facilitators

Authors

Sunkanmi Folorunsho, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Victor Ajayi, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillFollow
Munirat Sanmori, Georgia State UniversityFollow
Medinah Suleiman, University of IlorinFollow
Raji Abdullateef, University of Ilorin
Abdulazeez Abdulganiyu, Brooks Insights Limited

ORCID IDs

Folorunsho https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5471-7125

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2025

Citation

Special Care in Dentistry (2025) 45(3): e70040 (12 pages)

doi: 10.1111/scd.70040

Comments

Copyright 2025, the authors. Open access

License: CC BY 4.0

Abstract

Aims: Nigeria’s rapidly aging population presents urgent challenges for the healthcare system, particularly in oral health, which remains an overlooked aspect of well-being. While older adults are especially vulnerable to dental issues such as tooth loss, periodontal disease, and oral pain, access to care remains limited due to systemic, economic, and cultural barriers. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of older Nigerians in accessing and utilizing dental care, with the goal of identifying key barriers, facilitators, and policy-relevant insights.

Methods: Fifteen participants aged 50–83 years were purposively selected from urban and peri-urban areas of Ilorin, North- Central Nigeria. Using a semi-structured interview guide, data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s methodology.

Results: Three overarching themes emerged: (1) barriers to accessing dental care, including high treatment costs, geographic inaccessibility, mobility challenges, and long waiting times; (2) facilitators of care, such as family support, employment-based insurance, and culturally supportive health beliefs; and (3) perceptions of dental care, with participants recognizing its importance for nutrition, dignity, and overall quality of life. Findings reveal that dental care for older adults in Nigeria is shaped by a combination of structural neglect and individual adaptation. While participants valued preventive care, financial constraints, poor infrastructure, and a lack of geriatric-trained professionals limited consistent access. However, social support networks and respectful provider interactions were critical enablers of care.

Conclusions: This study points to the need for age-inclusive health policies that integrate dental services into primary healthcare, expand insurance coverage, and strengthen community-based outreach. Addressing these gaps is not only a matter of public health, but of equity, dignity, and the right to age well.