Gingival Recession: Prevalence, Extent, and Severity in Women Belonging to Self-help Groups from a Panchayat in Kerala

Abstract

Background: Self-help groups (SHGs) were devised by the Indian Government, essentially to uplift women with poor socioeconomic status. Gingival recession (GR) has worldwide prevalence ranging from 22% to 100%. It leads to multiple dental problems affecting the quality of life. Poor socioeconomic conditions are closely related to the severity of GR. Aims: This study aims to assess the prevalence, extent, and severity of GR in women belonging to SHGs from a panchayat in Kerala. Also to determine etiological factors for GR in the given population. Materials and Methods: A total of 354 women from SHGs of a panchayat in Kerala were included in the study. All participants answered a questionnaire containing demographic details, behavioral factors, and comorbidities. Clinical examination was carried out to assess GR, plaque index, gingival index, presence of attached gingiva, frenal attachment, biotype, trauma from occlusion, and malocclusion. All categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentage whereas continuous variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation. The association between GR and its etiological factors was analyzed by Chi-square test followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of GR in this population was 88.4%. The extent of GR was at least one site and Class III-B was found in 4.2% of the population. Significant association between age, gingival inflammation, and GR were observed. Conclusions: GR was found to be highly prevalent (GR II-B most prominent) in this population. Age and presence of severe gingival inflammation were found to be the possible risk factors.