| ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2009 | Volume
: 7
| Issue : 13 | Page : 43-53 |
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Oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients and their attendants visiting College of Dental Surgery, Saveetha University, Chennai
R Pradeep Kumar, Joseph John, S Saravanan, I Meignana Arumugham
Department of Public Health Dentistry, College of Dental Surgery, Saveetha University, 162, Poonamallee High Road, Velappanchavadi, Chennai 600 077, India
Correspondence Address:
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
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Aim:To describe the oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices of the patients and their attendants visiting College of Dental Surgery, Saveetha University.
Methods: A structured questionnaire incorporating items related to oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices was randomly distributed to 354 patients and their attendants aged 7- 70 years visiting this hospital.
Results: The study population consisted of males 63% (n=223) and females 37% (n=131). 354 completed questionnaires were statistically analyzed.76.9% of males and 85.4% of females consult a dentist immediately when they notice decay. More than 50% of the males and females of all the age groups are aware of the cause and prevention of decay, gum diseases and malocclusion. 60.8% of the study population are unaware that smoking affects both general and oral health. Majority of the respondents of all age group used tooth paste and tooth brush for cleaning their teeth. None of the subjects in this study used charcoal, bricks or sand for brushing. 47.1% of males and 51.1% of females used fluoridated tooth paste. 9.8%of them had the habit of betel nut chewing.
Conclusion: Oral health Knowledge, attitude and practices is reasonably good, hence dental health education to maintain oral health may be imparted. |
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