The study was carried out to determine factors affecting oral health care service utilization among a representative sample of junior secondary school children in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study was a cross sectional one in which self administered questionnaire was filled by each student. Data were collected on their socio-demographic characteristics, previous visit (s) to the dental clinic and reasons for the visit (s), reasons for non dental visits for those who have never visited the dentist, the students’ beliefs in regular dental visits and reasons for these beliefs. Only 457 students completed their questionnaires reasonably well and their responses were analysed. Their mean age was 13.04±1.10 years. Over 80% of the children claimed they have never visited the dentist and lack of perceived need accounted for 82.8% of the various reasons given for the non visit. Sixty eight point nine percent of the children believed in regular dental visits while 27.8% of them did not believe in regular dental visits. Equity in access and opportunity for disease prevention among young adolescents may be achieved by school oral health program whereby regular oral health talks/education is instituted. once a year and an increase in the proportion of low income people younger than 19 years of age who are known to be at a higher risk for disease. Most often children from low income or minority families have serious problems receiving the care they need. Some of the serious factors identified to limit access to dental care for these children include lack of finances, lack of transportation, language and cultural barriers and lack of perceived need for care4). In Nigeria, studies are needed to determine the utilization of dental services among cohort of Nigerian population so as to enable dental professionals plan programs that will ensure equity in access to oral care, although some studies have been conducted on utilization of dental services both within Hospital settings and communities5–10) but none has been conducted among young adolescents with a view of knowing their beliefs on regular dental visits.