Oral health status and treatment needs of Iruligas at Ramanagara District, Karnataka, India.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of Iruliga tribal community residing at Ramanagara District, Karnataka, India. METHODS: The total population of 2605 Iruligas residing at 26 villages of Ramanagara District was included for the study. Data were collected using World Health Organization (WHO) 1997 'Oral Health Assessment Form'. Examination was done under good natural light using a mouth mirror and community periodontal index (CPI) probe. RESULTS: The total study population was 2605, comprising 1545 males and 1060 females in the age group of 1-80 years with the mean age of 30.56 +/- 19.51. The majority of Iruligas (79.8%) used chew sticks as an oral hygiene aid. Subjects with leukoplakia were found to be 3 (0.12). The most commonly seen enamel opacity/hypoplasia was diffuse opacity affecting 930 (35.7%) subjects. A mild form of dental fluorosis affected 1658 (63.65%) subjects. Subjects with bleeding were only 4.22%; subjects with calculus were 57.9%; those with shallow pockets (4-5 mm) were 22.0% and subjects with deep pockets (> or = 6 mm) were 3.67%. The prevalence of dental caries among Iruligas was found to be 7.52%. The mean number of decayed, missing, filled (DMF) permanent teeth per person was 0.55 +/- 0.1. Definite malocclusion, which required elective treatment, was noted in 14.1%. Iruligas with need for referral were found to be 29.94% (n = 780) according to the various treatment needs required for different oral diseases. CONCLUSION: This study revealed less prevalence of oral diseases among Iruligas, highlighting the role of good oral health practices prevalent among this isolated population.

Oral health status and treatment needs of iruligas at ramanagara District, Karnataka, India / Estado de la salud oral y necesidades de tratamiento de los iruligas, en el Distrito de Ramanagara, Karnataka, India

OBJECTIVES: To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of Iruliga tribal community residing at Ramanagara District, Karnataka, India. METHODS: The total population of 2605 Iruligas residing at 26 villages of Ramanagara District was included for the study. Data were collected using World Health Organization (WHO) 1997 'Oral Health Assessment Form'. Examination was done under good natural light using a mouth mirror and community periodontal index (CPI) probe. RESULTS: The total study population was 2605, comprising 1545 males and 1060 females in the age group of 1-80 years with the mean age of 30.56 ± 19.51. The majority of Iruligas (79.8%) used chew sticks as an oral hygiene aid. Subjects with leukoplakia were found to be 3 (0.12). The most commonly seen enamel opacity/hypoplasia was diffuse opacity affecting 930 (35.7%) subjects. A mild form of dental fluorosis affected 1658 (63.65%) subjects. Subjects with bleeding were only 4.22%; subjects with calculus were 57.9%; those with shallow pockets (4-5 mm) were 22.0% and subjects with deep pockets (> 6 mm) were 3.67%. The prevalence of dental caries among Iruligas was found to be 7.52%. The mean number of decayed, missing, filled (DMF) permanent teeth per person was 0.55 ± 0.1. Definite malocclusion, which required elective treatment, was noted in 14.1%. Iruligas with need for referral were found to be 29.94% (n = 780) according to the various treatment needs required for different oral diseases. CONCLUSION: This study revealed less prevalence of oral diseases among Iruligas, highlighting the role of good oral health practices prevalent among this isolated population.

OBJETIVOS: Evaluar el estado de salud oral y las necesidades de tratamiento en la comunidad tribal Iruliga, que reside en el Distrito de Ramanagara, Karnataka, India. MÉTODOS: La población total de 2605 Iruligas que residen en 26 aldeas del Distrito de Ramanagara, fue incluida en el estudio. Los datos fueron recogidos usando el Formulario de evaluación de la salud oral (OMS) de 1997. El examen se hizo bajo buena luz natural, usando un espejo bucal, y la sonda Índice Periodontal Comunitario (IPC). RESULTADOS: La población total del estudio fue 2605, y abarcó 1545 varones y 1060 hembras en el grupo etario de 1-80 años, con una edad media de 30.56 ± 19.51. La mayoría de los Iruligas (79.8%) usaban palillos de masticar como medio para la higiene oral. Se halló que los sujetos con leucoplasia oral eran 3 (0.12). La hipoplasia u opacidad del esmalte más común fue la opacidad difusa que afectaba a 930 (35.7%) sujetos. Una forma leve de fluorosis dental afectaba a 1658 (63.65%) de los sujetos. Los sujetos con sangramiento fueron sólo el 4.22%. Los sujetos con cálculo fueron el 57.9%; los que presentaban bolsas poco profundas (4-5 mm) fueron el 22.0% y los sujetos con bolsas profundas (> 6 mm) fueron el 3.67%. Se halló que la prevalencia de las caries dentales entre los Iruligas fue de 7.52%. El número promedio de dientes permanentes con caries, faltantes y obturados (DMF) fue 0.55 ± 0.1. La maloclusión definida, que requirió tratamiento electivo, se hizo evidente en 14.1%. Se halló que los Iruligas con necesidad de ser remitidos fue un 29.94% (n = 780) de acuerdo con las diferentes necesidades de tratamiento requeridas para las diferentes enfermedades orales. CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio reveló menos prevalencia de enfermedades orales entre los Iruligas, destacando el papel de las buenas prácticas de la salud oral prevalentes entre esta población aislada.