Evaluation of Oral Status and Tobacco Use in a Rural Population and Testing a Scale Developed to Rate Oral Status: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate the oral status and tobacco use of subjects residing in rural areas to provide epidemiological data for planning oral health programs and to test a scale developed to rate oral status. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted among first-visit subjects visiting the out-patient dental clinics of two rural hospitals during a sixmonth period. Data were collected by interviews and clinical examinations. Criteria evaluated in the proposed scale were based on the status of the oral tissues in disease and health. Differences in proportions were compared using the Chi squared test and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study population comprised 614 patients (43.6% male, 56.4% female) aged between four and 80. Only 1.6% subjects had an intact dentition while 17.9% presented with a healthy periodontium. Two hundred forty-five subjects had undergone prosthetic rehabilitation. Tobacco use was reported by 13.3% subjects and they accounted for 88% of the oro-mucosal lesions observed. Once daily tooth cleansing was reported by 68.2% subjects while 2.3% did not practice any oral hygiene measures. The scale used mirrored the subjects' oral status accurately. To conclude, the poor oral status of this population was compounded by lack of awareness about the presence of oral disease. A renewed stress on implementation of oral health promotion strategies for rural populations seems critical in the present context and the proposed scale needs to be validated by studies on larger population groups.

Oral health status among the adult tobacco users in a selected rural area of Bangladesh

“…According to the study results the mean age, mean monthly family income ofthe tobacco users was 41.3 ± 6.81 years,12397.2 ( ± 2976.3) taka respectively,68 (36.0%) respondents educational qualification was up to HSC, 179 (94.2%) were Muslim, 63 (33.4%) respondents occupation was business and others. A study from Department of Public Health Dentistry, Yenepoya Dental College, Deralakatte, Mangalore, India, [5] 7.8% among males, prevalence of mucosal lesions was highest in the 46-60 year-old followed by the ≥ 61 year age group while among females, prevalence was highest in the 31-45 years old followed by the 46-60 years age group. In this study, 190 respondents maximum 61 (32.1%) belongs to 18-28 years age groups and 116 (61.1) % subject are male, 74 (38.8%) are female.According to different studies occurred on Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, their distribution of tobacco consumption is not uniform; it is disproportionately higher in lower socioeconomic groups, poor, semi-skilled manual occupation groups, unemployed and poor educational achievers [6][7][8][9][10][11] , which was much consistent with the socio-demographic results of this study.…”

“…Sex and age were not associated with oral health, although in this study maximum subjects were male and 18-28 years age group which also supports the study results. [5] This study was conducted with a small sample population and DMFT score was not assessed in this study which was a limitation of the study.…”