Misperception of Oral Health among Adults in Rural Areas: A Fundamental but Neglected Issue in Primary Healthcare

Abstract

Background: Poor oral hygiene is associated with metabolic syndrome, systemic diseases, mortality and many chronic diseases. Misperception means a wrong or incorrect understanding or interpretation. Few studies have examined the subjective perception and objective condition of oral health among community adults in rural areas. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, community-based study. Participants were recruited via convenience samples from December 2015 to July 2016. One thousand six (1006) community residents participated in the project, of which 973 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The average age was 42.8 (SD = 12.3) years, range 20–64, selected from a collaboration local hospital. Results: Most of the participants reported brushing their teeth every day, however, 72% reported seldom brushing their teeth after meals, 54% seldom used dental floss, 64% seldom received dental scaling, 29.5% had experienced a toothache within 6 months, and 30.5% demonstrated significant tooth loss. However, most of them perceived their oral health as good. Misperception of oral health was common, 21.5% among whose number of remaining teeth <25 under-assess their actual oral health. The more number of remaining teeth (p < 0.001) and regular dental check-up (p < 0.01) were positively associated with feeling good about their oral health. After adjusting for potential confounders, clinically significant findings indicated that number of remaining teeth (OR = 3.03, p < 0.001), age (OR = 0.99, p < 0.001), regular dental check-ups/scaling (OR = 1.85, p < 0.001), education (OR = 1.45, p < 0.05), and water consumption (OR = 1.38, p < 0.05) were independently associated with good perceived oral health. Conclusions: The findings showed that subjective self-perception of oral health was not matched with their objective oral condition. Excluding the unmodifiable factors, the clinical implications indicated that oral health promotion programs, particularly for adopting regular dental check-up, healthy diet and oral hygiene habits are urgent in rural areas.

Self-rated general and oral health and associated factors in independently-living older individuals

“…These findings suggest that the use of health services may contribute to the sense of awareness that amplifies perceptions. 20,21 Moreover, when comparing preventive dental care and restorative work, those who visited the dentist for regular check-ups were more likely to report their oral health to be good/excellent. 16 According to Haikal et al, 22 who assessed the perception of elderly persons living in a Brazilian facility, those who rated their oral health as poor or fair reported the need to visit the dentist, suggesting that self-perception of oral health is a predictor of need for dental care.…”

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors and their Relationships with Metabolic Disorders among Adults in Burkina Faso: Findings from the First National Survey

“…Other authors noted the significant relationship between oral health behaviour and stroke (odds for stroke even was of 2.15, CI:1.01-4.58 for those who daily did not clean the teeth) [64]. Although the consistent data reported benefits (with regards to the MetS prevention) from the adequate/healthy oral practice, this fundamental public health issue is still neglected by the healthcare workers [65].…”

Examining Relationship between Occupational Acid Exposure and Oral Health in Workplace

“…Periodontitis was de ned as a CPI or LA value greater than or equal to 1 (Supplement table 2). The index teeth numbers were 11,16,17,26,27,31,36,37, 46 and 47. A CPI was used at the gingival margin as a reference to measure the periodontal pocket.…”