ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Oral health is a vital part of general health and is a valuable asset of every individual. The working population in India usually belong to the lower socioeconomic group. AIM: This study was conducted to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of Gunj marketing yard laborers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted among 550 laborers of Gunj marketing yard of Raichur city. A specially designed questionnaire was used to assess the demographic variables and oral hygiene practices. Oral health status was assessed using the WHO assessment form 1997. Simplified oral hygiene index (1964) was used to assess the oral hygiene status. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 35.1 (± 8.02) years and the mean decayed teeth, missing teeth, filled teeth, and decayed, missing, filled teeth was 2.06 (± 1.49), 0.76 (± 2.53), 0.13 (± 0.39), and 2.95 (± 3.02), respectively. The prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease was 85.7% and 93.5%, respectively. The oral hygiene status was poor in 45.9% of the study participants. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates poor oral hygiene and high prevalence of periodontal diseases and dental caries as well as a large proportion of unmet dental needs among these laborers.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Interactions between oral and systemic health are bi-directional and complex, involving many pathways. The orphans have been sympathized with, ignored, vitrified or even hidden away in the community. Hence, providing health care services for orphans remains a challenge. Oral health education has a positive impact in lowering plaque and gingivitis scores in health educational programs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of peer group health promotion model among 11 to 16 year old orphans at Puduchery, South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A clinical trial of 6 months duration was carried out among 72 orphans with age ranging from 11 to 16 years residing in Cluny Padmini Sneha Illam, at Puduchery, India. The baseline data regarding oral health and oral hygiene practices were obtained using a pre-tested close-ended questionnaire. Oral health education was provided to 4 randomly picked children who in turn provided the same to their peer group orphans, supervised by the investigator. Tooth brushes and fluoridated tooth pastes were provided to all the participants throughout the study period. Oral hygiene of the participants was assessed using Modified Plaque Index by Loe H and Gingival Index by Loe H and Silness at baseline, 3(rd) and 6(th) month interval. Paired Student t test was used to analyze the categorical data. RESULTS: Majority of the respondents felt consuming sugar was not harmful for dental health, while 15 respondents were not sure about the outcome. When asked if oral hygiene was important for general health, 45.8% were not aware of its association. Although all the participants brushed their teeth daily, none of them reported the use of dental floss. The findings of this study indicated a statisticallysignificant lower mean plaque score of 0.54 ± 0.20 at 6(th) month when compared to the baseline score of 1.76 ± 0.24. Similarly, statistically significant lower gingival index score of 0.65 ± 0.11 at 6(th) month was observed when compared to the baseline score of 1.76 ± 0.24. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that oral hygiene of orphans was improved using a peer group approach model of oral health promotion.
