Occurrence of Oral Health Beliefs and Misconceptions Among Indian Population

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore cultural beliefs and taboos regarding dentistry among Indian population. Methods: In this cross-sectional study 1664 subjects aged 18 years and above were randomly selected using multistage cluster sampling and surveyed using a self administered structured questionnaire including 16 dichotomous questions pre-tested through a pilot survey. The Student's T-test and ANOVA test were used as test of significance. Results: The study revealed that people have cultural beliefs and taboos regarding dentistry. The deficit was greater in the rural areas in all aspects. There was statistically significant difference according to sex with females having lower mean scores as they were more involved in taboos. In addition, a positive linear correlation was found between educational level and cultural beliefs & taboos in dentistry (Pearson's correlation, r=0.537, P=0.01). Conclusion: Overall more than half of the participants lack awareness particularly in rural areas; they still believe in old unscientific tales, and illiteracy is also an important factor responsible for this.

Taboos: A curse to oral health: socio-cultural beliefs among adult population of Muradnagar, Ghaziabad- A cross-sectional study

“…In the present study it was found that 66% of respondent believe that extraction of upper teeth affects the eyesight which is more than that of study done by Khan SA et al 5 (47%), Sharma R et al 3 (64%), Kochhar S et al 7 (49.6%), Pandya P et al 9 (42.7%), Raina SA et al 8 (52.4%),…”

“…For example, extractions performed on older patients, leading to weakening of eye sight due to its vicinity in maxilla, are mere coincidental, but still remain a taboo, hence people relate to this. About 46% of the subjects still use finger instead of toothbrush as a cleaning aid, which is slightly less than the study done by Kochhar S et al 7 (46.6%) and more than the study done by Rai A et al (11.4%), 6 which may be due to poor education. Many people in the countryside use twigs of neem tree as a tooth brush, some use ashes, salt rice husks, tobacco and some charcoal, 10 therefore they believe using finger is better than using brush and 54% believes that brush should be used as a cleaning aid rather than finger & these could be the educated ones and those who have come in contact with urban life use tooth brushes.…”

“…Many people in the countryside use twigs of neem tree as a tooth brush, some use ashes, salt rice husks, tobacco and some charcoal, 10 therefore they believe using finger is better than using brush and 54% believes that brush should be used as a cleaning aid rather than finger & these could be the educated ones and those who have come in contact with urban life use tooth brushes. In this modern progressing times also still 32% of the participants still depend on the cultural beliefs and taboos in curing their dental health problems and believes that use of clove, supari ease tooth pain which is lower than the study done by Sharma R et al 3 (54%), Kochhar S et al 7 (57.8%), Rai A et al 6 (49.4%). It may be attributed to the fact that the products like clove are easily available and relieve pain quickly and are cost effective and available as a household material that are mostly used in developing countries like India.…”

Prevalent Dental Myths and Practices in Indian Population- A Systematic Review

“…R Vignesh et al (2012) 18 observed that majority of population believed that using hard bristles for brushing (70%) and brushing with salt (56.8%), whitens the teeth. Anup Nagaraj et al (2014) 22 , Sumit Kocchar et al (2014) 23 and Saumyendra V Singh et al (2010) 17 highlighted the myth about the removal of the upper teeth and its effect on vision. Devesh Tewari et al (2014) 4 showed that majority of the population has the opinion that home remedies are better for dental treatment and high percentage believe that keeping tobacco in a decayed tooth relieves its pain.…”

Perception Of Oral Hygiene Practices And Dental Treatment Permissible During Fasting Amongst Dental Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study In Pakistan

“…11 Also, the dentists should ascertain that the patients are informed about the rulings such as the Islamic Fiqh Council and the Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, a Saudi Arabian organization that issues decrees in Islamic jurisprudence. 12 One possible limitation that is associated with the study is that it could have benefited from including people living in rural areas since it is possible that their views may have differed.…”