Prevalence and Factors Influencing Dental Problems in a Rural Population of Southern India

Epidemiology of Dental Caries among Adults in a Rural Area in India

“…The caries prevalence as well as dental treatment needs in the rural areas was quite high; prevalence of 87.8% and more than 60% of the study sample needed restorative treatment on at least one tooth surface. The high levels of caries in rural areas are consistent with results from previous studies, [12][13][14] and reiterate the burden of oral diseases among the rural communities in India. Thus, the need for oral health promotion as well as improved accessibility to dental care are quite paramount, particularly in light of increasing globalization which may result in an increased availability of fermentable carbohydrates including sweets, to the rural populations.…”

“…In another study of rural population, the dental caries prevalence rates ranged from 17.3% among 5 to 14 years old to 54.6% in those aged 55 and above. 14 In this study, however, nearly 58% of the population was more than 24 years old. The above studies, with the exception of the last one, were limited only to certain adult age groups, such as the 30 to 35, 35 to 44 years or the elderly, and did not include the whole spectrum of rural adult age groups.…”

“…24 Findings from the present study, however, differ from that of Rao et al 25 wherein females presented significantly with a greater number of sound teeth than males and that males had a greater number of missing teeth because of caries and periodontal diseases. Rajaratnam and group also found that the prevalence of dental caries was higher among females than males, 14 and attributed it to less frequent dental visits by females. The lower frequency of dental visits by women could be due to an increased fear and anxiety of dental treatment.…”

“…The distribution of dental caries has shown gender and socioeconomic differences as well as urban-rural variations. 11,13,14 Shah and group found a direct relationship between dental caries and education level, oral hygiene practices and methods, high levels of bacteria (Strep. mutans), and carbohydrate diet; higher socioeconomic status and higher literacy rates were inversely associated with the prevalence of dental caries.…”

Occurrence of Dental Caries among the Adults Attending a Regional Referral Hospital in Tanzania

“…25,26 The caries occurrence in this study was quite large 87.84%, with the female patient having significantly higher occurrence of dental caries when compared within the same gender than the male patients (92.6% for female and 81.1% for male) .The high level of caries is consistent with the other studies done on rural parts of other countries. 27,28 This can be attributed to the easy and increased availability of fermentable carbohydrates including sweets to the rural population owing to globalization.…”