Community-based Preventive and Oral Health Promotion Programs in Early Diagnosis of Oral Disease

Abstract

Background: It is very important to identify common oral health problems, particularly in rural areas, and counsel the patients screened for a particular oral disease for early treatment to prevent the progression of oral disease. The present study was conducted among the adult population and school students residing in rural areas to identify any oral disease at the earliest. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among schoolchildren and adults residing in rural areas. Seventeen villages were selected on the basis of cluster sampling methodology. A total of 1892 individuals constituted the final sample size after making necessary exclusions. Statistical calculations were done using Chi-square test. Results: A number of school students were 1230 and 662 were adults. A number of male patients having pit and fissure caries were comparatively more as compared to females (45% and 36%, respectively). Periodontal disease and oral precancerous lesions were more prevalent in the 46–60-year age group. There was a statistically significant association between gender and pit and fissure caries in schoolchildren (P = 0.027). Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that screening camps play a pivotal role in diagnosing a dental disease at the earliest and thus halting its progression.