Objectives:To determine the oral health related behavior, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pre-university students of Mysore city.Design:A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1000 pre-university students of Mysore city.Results:Statistical tests such as percentage distribution and Chi-square were used. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Most of the students (88%, n = 880) knew that dental health reflects on the general health. Eighty-nine percent (n = 890) of students were aware that sweets and sticky food cause dental decay. Majority of the students (90%, n = 900) agreed that they visited dentist only when they had pain and cleaned their teeth once daily using toothbrush and tooth paste in vertical and horizontal motion.Conclusion:The study showed that the students had good knowledge about the basic oral health measures necessary to maintain proper oral health, but their attitude and practices toward oral health was relatively poor.
Background:
Oral health is integral part of general health. In certain conditions especially among mentally disabled, oral health is neglected. Studies have shown that mentally disabled population has the risk of poor oral health. People with disabilities deserve the same opportunities for oral health and hygiene as those who are healthy, but sadly dental care is the most common unmet health care need of the disabled people.
Methodology:
This comparative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among institutionalized mentally disabled and normal children of age group 6–13 years in Mysore city.
Results:
Majority of mentally disabled children, that is, 36.73% (
n
= 180), had poor oral hygiene when compared with normal children, that is, 9.18% (
n
= 45). This difference was statistically highly significant (
P
< 0.000). The significant differences in the gingival status and severity of mental disability were seen (
P
< 0.001). The result showed that the gingival health worsens with increase in the severity of mental disability.
Conclusion:
The present study showed the dental negligence among mentally disabled children where the parents, caretakers, and dentists are responsible. Oral health promotion programs should be conducted for special group children, their parents, as well as caretakers.
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