RESUMEN

Introduction Dental health is an important component of overall health. Many factors can obstruct access to dental care and limit the utilization of services. Barriers to accessing dental services are divided into three groups - by patients, by dental profession, and by state and society. Factors by patients are proven to be the leading ones. Methods We conducted an anonymous survey among 416 Bulgarians to study the barriers to accessing dental services and the demographic, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors that influence those barriers. The research complies with ethical standards and is approved by the Ethics Committee of Medical University, Sofia. Results The main group of barriers to accessing dental care in the Republic of Bulgaria was patient-related (67.03%). They led all groups by gender, age, residence, education, income, overall health status, self-assessment of dental health, and frequency of visits. Barriers by state and society were second in importance (28.9%) and were mentioned mainly among men, low-income people (33.96%), the less educated (27.33%), age group 45-65 years (22.76%), and patients visiting a dental office only in case of emergency (32.97%). The leading reason for the postponement of visits was lack of pain (31.21%). Lack of pain was more often indicated among women (20.04%), age group 45-65 years (28.28%), and rural population (31.04%). The cost of dental treatment (15.54%) was not a significant factor and was outweighed by psychosocial factors such as lack of time (17.8%) and dental fear and anxiety (16.67%). Dental fear and anxiety were cited mainly among women (9.12%), younger patients (17.9%), the less educated (12.21%), those with low income (9.62%), and those without income (25%), as well as among people with low self-estimation of their oral health status (40%) and those visiting a dental office irregularly (25.53%). Conclusion The main group of barriers to accessing dental services in the Republic of Bulgaria was those created by patients and were indicated mainly among women, people with higher education and income, and those from rural populations, while barriers by state and society were indicated mainly by men, low income, less educated, and people over 45 years. Complex impact by more than one group of factors was reported mainly by middle-aged people, city populations, people visiting a dental office irregularly, and those with low self-assessment of their dental status. Patients postponed dental treatment mainly due to lack of pain, which was more significant among women, people over 45 years, and rural populations. The cost of dental treatment is no longer a significant factor and has been overtaken by psychosocial factors such as lack of time and dental fear and anxiety.