Oral Hygiene Awareness And Practice Amongst Patients Visiting Dental College And Hospital, Chennai

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Toothbrushes and floss are most commonly used for oral hygiene although interdental brushes and wooden sticks can offer advantages in periodontally involved dentitions. Despite new products and design modifications, mechanical measures require manual dexterity and cognitive ability. Chemotherapeutic supplementation of mechanical measures using dentifrices, mouthrinses, gels and chewing gums as delivery vehicles can improve oral hygiene.

AIM: To assess oral hygiene awareness among patients who visit dental college and hospital  in Chennai

MATERIALS AND METHOD: This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study performed among 76 outpatients in a private dental college. The data was collected and analysed using SPSS software version 23

RESULT: 78% respondents used toothbrush and toothpaste for cleaning their teeth. 53.9% of the respondents reported to have halitosis. 39.5% of the study respondents visited dentists only when they have a problem. About (78%) respondents used toothbrush and toothpaste and (21%) respondents used toothbrush and powder. Majority of the participants were aware about the association of systemic health and oral health. Females were more aware when compared to males. (p value - 0.013). Study participants' education is not related with the awareness about association of systemic health and oral health and also importance of dental visit.

CONCLUSION: Oral hygiene practices were moderate among the study participants. Awareness about the association of systemic health and oral health was more among females. Study participants' education is not related with the oral health awareness