Attitude, Behavior and Oral Health among Patients Visiting a Dental Institution of Nepal

Abstract

Background: Majority of oral diseases are related to life style, which means that a behavioral change is needed to reduce the disease. This study was conducted to assess the attitude, behavior and oral health of the patients visiting a dental hospital and association of oral health with age and gender.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 130 patients of 15 years and above who visited Kathmandu medical college, Bhaktapur for oral health check-up. Participants were interviewed for their attitude and behavior regarding oral health. Caries experience and periodontal conditions were assessed. Chi square test was done to evaluate the association age and gender with of attitude, behavior and oral health.
 Results: In this study, significantly higher number of females went to visit dentist when they noticed bleeding gums than males (p=0.023). Tobacco was consumed more by males than females (p<0.001). Mean DMFT was 3.85±3.035. Bleeding on probing was found in 64.6%; calculus in 18.5% and periodontal pocket of ≥4mm in 11.6%. Loss of attachment of 4mm or more was present in 34.6% and was significantly higher in older age group (p<0.001); in males (p=0.001); who were negligent in visiting dentist (p=0.035); brushed by vertical method (p=0.013) for less than two minutes and more than five minutes (p=0.015); used toothpicks or no interdental cleaning aids (p=0.009); ignored bleeding gums (p=<.001) and who used tobacco products (p<0.001).
 Conclusions: This study concluded that the attitude towards the oral health was positive among the patients who visited Kathmandu Medical College, Bhaktapur, Nepal. The oral health behaviour was quite unsatisfactory and needs to be improved.

Periodontal Disease in Patients Visiting a Tertiary Care Dental Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

“…Male also have other deleterious habits like smoking cigarette, chewing pan/tobacco, taking gutkha, that negatively affect oral health. Smoking status and sex also showed positive association with more male smokers both current as well as former similar to Gupta et al 2 Dahal et al 7 and Kundu et al 21 The result may not be accurate because due to social disparities, the female smokers may not have reported truthfully.…”

“…The number of healthy sextants decreased with advancing age which is in accordance with available literature reporting increasing age with increasing severity of periodontitis. 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 21 , 22 , 24 About “Education”, majority of the sample were secondary and higher secondary above. One reason could be because of lack of oral health awareness in less educated individuals, they don't go to dental hospital unless they have to.…”

“…This is similar to other studies within Nepal and abroad. 2 , 7 , 15 , 16 , 19 , 21 This could be because of female individuals being more concerned regarding oral hygiene and visit dentist more often. Male also have other deleterious habits like smoking cigarette, chewing pan/tobacco, taking gutkha, that negatively affect oral health.…”

“…6 Using standard tools to assess the oral hygiene status and practices that affect the periodontal health status is essential in formulating appropriate and acceptable dental health services and oral health awareness programs to improve the oral health of the population. 2,3,7 The primary objective of the current study was to find the prevalence of periodontal disease of the participants and secondarily to observe the various factors affecting periodontal condition like age, gender, JNMA I VOL 59 I ISSUE 236 I April 2021 body mass index (BMI), and oral hygiene methods used by the individuals to maintain their periodontal health.…”

“…Using standard tools to assess the oral hygiene status and practices that affect the periodontal health status is essential in formulating appropriate and acceptable dental health services and oral health awareness programs to improve the oral health of the population. 2 , 3 , 7 …”