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Aims and Objectives:India has an assortment of tribal population living in isolated pockets, and the Santhals are numerically predominant in Jharkhand. This study was aimed at assessing the oral health status and treatment needs of Santhals residing in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey of 921 Santhals of Topchanchi Block was conducted. A modified World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment Form (1997) was utilized and examined according to the WHO methodology (1997). The recorded data was statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 15.Results:Based on the occupation, it was seen that 620 (67.3%) participants practiced agriculture and 206 (22.4%) worked as laborers. The mean decayed missing filled tooth (score was 3.56 ± 1.93 in 2–5-year-old participants. In the higher age groups of 35–44 and 65–74 years, the scores were 5.21 ± 2.34 and 7.42 ± 4.29, respectively. Participants with bleeding gums were predominantly seen in the age group of 35–44 years (0.91 ± 0.08). Approximately 138 (54.1%) participants had a loss of attachment of 4–5 mm in the 35–44 year age group. In the 13–15-year-old age group, 0.14 ± 0.05 teeth needed two surfaces fillings. A total of 118 (12.8%) participants needed one-unit prosthesis in the upper jaw.Conclusion:This study showed that a majority of Santhal tribals used twigs to routinely clean their teeth. Poor oral hygiene and periodontal status was seen among the tribes.

IntroductionKnowledge of blood groups and their association with oral diseases and depression is very important, as it may help in early diagnosis and treatment strategies.MethodA cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among dental students of a private dental college. The study was conducted in two phases, in the first phase the blood samples of each student were collected and sent for blood group examination in laboratory. Data for oral health status was collected by recording oral hygiene, dental caries and questions regarding oral hygiene habits and adverse oral habits. Depression level was recorded using a pre-validated, 21 item close ended questionnaire. Data thus collected was subjected to statistical analysis using chi-square and frequency distribution test using SPSS software.ResultsThe total study subjects were 315, 95 males and 220 females. On applying chi-square test between blood group and Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score, a highly significant association (p=0.00) was observed. A non-significant association p=0.217 and p=0.668 was observed between gender and DMFT and Oral hygiene index-simplified and Blood group respectively. When comparing blood group and Depression score, a non-significant association (p=0.74) was observed.ConclusionDMFT score varies in different blood groups and this might suggest a positive association between blood groups and DMFT score, while depression, oral hygiene and gender might not be affected by the different blood groups.