Table 1: Descriptive values of the assessed variables

Variables		%
Age (years)
Below 15		6.4
15-30		49.9
Above 30		43.7
Gender
Male		44.8
Female		55.2
Level of education3
Primary		19.5
Secondary		30.6
Tertiary		42.0
Region
Jazan		29.1
Sabya		19.2
Abu Areesh		14.7
Samtah		5.8
Al Ardah		3.5
Dental visits
Every 6 months to 1 year		49.5
More than 1 year		16.2
When in pain		33
Other reason		0.3
Dentists’ instructions
Yes		88
No		12
Dentists’ explaining oral health problem
Yes		68.6
No		31.4
Previous dental visits
Regular		54.2
Irregular		45.8
Dental pain is the reason for current visit
Yes		38.8
No		61.2
Patients attending oral health camps
Yes		16.8
No		83.2
Previous bad experience with the dentist
Yes		37.7
No		62.3
Availability of equipments in dental practice
Yes		24
No		36
I do not know		30
No response		10
Qualitative response on self-perceived
barriers by the patientsb
Delay in appointment		53.2
Absence of pain		16.8
Fear of dentists		13
Regular visit is not necessary		7
Other reasons		10

The total sample size was 395 (N); ^a7.8% respondents did not mention about their level of education; ^bIt was an open-ended question where the top responses have been grouped together