Level of Adherence to the Recommended Biannual Routine Oral Health Visits by the Gweta Population, Botswana

This study aimed to evaluate the level of awareness and practice of biannual recommended dental clinic visits among the Gweta village population in Botswana.This was a cross-sectional study.A multivariate analysis was performed utilising binary logistic regression to assess the association between the independent variables under consideration and both awareness and practice of the recommended biannual dental clinic visits (BDCV).Of the 386 participants, one-third (n = 66, 29.7) were aware of the recommended BDCV, 59.0%) reported attending a dental clinic twice a year.Among those who reported being aware of the recommended BDCV, only 25 (11.3%)implemented the recommendation.More than half (n = 227, 58.8%) of individuals reported good toothbrushing oral hygiene practice, and 288 (74.6%) indicated appropriate toothbrushing oral hygiene frequency (two times per day).One hundred and seventy-seven participants (45.9%) reported good dental hygiene practices.Approximately three in ten (n = 137, 35.5%) individuals reported smoking, whereas six in ten (n = 241, 62.4%) reported using alcohol.There was a significant difference in the percentage of people who identified the importance of oral health for quality of life (94.1% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.009).Individuals who recognised the impact of oral health on quality of life were found to have a threefold higher likelihood of being aware of and adhering to the recommended biannual dental clinic visits (OR = 3.086,.We propose a health system research project to implement evidence-based health promotion and education programs to improve oral health services and lifestyles.