ABSTRACT
Background: Dental hygiene is poor in India. The study was conducted to estimate the decayed, missed, filled [DMF] status of patients attending dental out patient department [OPD] and how DMF correlates with relevant cofactors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in OPD of Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital [BSMCH] in 2007. A systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit patients [n=102] attending OPD of BSMCH. Participants were interviewed using pre-designed and pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire Results: DMFT index was highest for 36-42 year male population [6.9] and 29-35 year females [5.5]. The index was poor among illiterates and was worst for primary school graduates. Improvement in literacy level resulted in decreased DMFT progressively thereafter. The best DMFT was among those who lived below the poverty line. It was poorest among persons addicted to Gurakhu, Gutkha, and Pan Parag [9.7]. Toothbrush and dentifrice was used by 76% participants. Washing mouth after eating sweets was reported by 69 subjects with DMFT 4.5. Conclusion: DMFT index was worst for primary school graduates and persons addicted to Gurakhu, Gutkha, and Pan Parag