Evaluating awareness regarding oral hygiene practices and exploring gender differences among patients attending for oral prophylaxis

Abstract

Background:Oral hygiene is intimated in health of all parts of the body including oral cavity. The understanding of actual practices in keeping the oral heath at standard based on patient's perceptions of oral health care is vital. Understanding the effect of gender on oral health would facilitate the development of successful attitude and behavior modification approach towards sustainable oral health.Purpose of Study:To evaluate awareness regarding oral hygiene practices and exploring gender differences among patients attending for oral prophylaxis.Materials and Methods:A survey was conducted among 250 patients attending the department of periodontology, Maulana Azad institute of dental sciences for oral prophylaxis. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding practices and perception about oral hygiene.Results:Majority of the patients (60.4%) felt that oral hygiene is mandatory for overall health of the body. The use of toothpaste and toothbrush (83.6%) was the most preferred cleaning aid among the study population in the present study. The major constraint for avoiding dental examination was no felt need (41.2%) followed by cost of dental treatment (26.8%) and time constraints (24.0%).Conclusions:Professional plaque removal and regular follow-up combined with oral hygiene instructions to the patients can minimize the level of gingival inflammation and swelling. The poor resources for dental care, common malpractices and nonavailability of professional care are the main barriers in seeking optimum oral hygiene.

Tooth brush changing frequency and associated socio-demographic and oral hygiene factors among residents of Karachi

“…In our study, 62% females reported higher frequency of brush change within 3 months than males. This finding is similar to a study where females (53.4%) more frequently changing their toothbrush every 3 months in comparison to males (Oberoi et al, 2014). Other demographic variables which presented with higher number of participants changing tooth brush every 3 months are 21 to 30 years age group and higher monthly income group.…”

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of interdental aids among medical professionals in Davangere district, Karnataka

“…It might also be more difficult to change the behavior of boys than of girls, because girls tend to have more health-directed behavior than boys. [36] The recent study conducted on awareness and use of oral hygiene practices revealed the use of interdental aids was significantly more common among females in comparison to males. [37] For overall medical population it was seen that they had knowledge about what are interdental aids as depicted by higher positive response for items (3-9 and 15-18), but there was inadequate knowledge about the technique of using interdental aids, especially dental floss; and also other interdental aids which are there besides dental floss as depicted by lower positive response for knowledge-based items (10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”

A Systematic Review of Water and Gender Interlinkages: Assessing the Intersection With Health

“…There is further evidence that girls had reduced access to improved hygienic practices. Nasr et al (2013) comment that boys hand washed more frequently than girls, and Oberoi et al demonstrated that girls less often changed their toothbrush and cited cost as a barrier (Oberoi et al, 2014).…”