ABSTRACT
Patients with leprosy may not be commonly reporting to the dental professionals. This study describes the oral hygiene status of the leprosy patients from a developing district of South India. A descriptive crosssectional study was conducted to assess the oral hygiene status of leprosy patients in Raichur district, Karnataka. A total of 225 patients were examined during 2012 as a part of the study. These are patients who registered at Raichur and Mudgal leprosy centres during this period for leprosy treatment. Oral Hygiene Index – Simplified was recorded according to the criteria given by Greene and Vermillion in 1964. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 software package. Male : female ratio was 2:1 and age of these patients ranged from 6-80 years, mean 33.25 ± 15.49 years. The mean Debris Index-Simplified score was 1.94 ± 0.66; mean Calculus Index-Simplified score 2.08 ± 0.64 and the mean Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified score was 4.02 ± 1.22. Percentage of leprosy patients with poor oral hygiene increased with increasing age. There was also association with habits of pan chewing, smoking, alcohol use and cleaning practice of not using tooth brush or neemstick. No relationship could be found with broader classification of leprosy, socio-economic status and other parameters. Patients with good and fair oral hygiene reported of lower dental problems than those with a poor oral hygiene. Lack of association with socioeconomic status and type of leprosy suggests a general awareness problem but this issue deserves in depth studies. The current study among leprosy patients in Raichur district is the first kind of study from this area which highlights the poor plight of these patients with respect to their oral hygiene status. Periodic surveys and interventions in terms of awareness campaigns among the leprosy patients as well as care providers and community in general will be useful. Orientation of health systems accordingly will be required to bring desired changes in the situation.