Dental Myths and Taboos: Hurdles to Oral Health

Abstract

For generations, the dental profession has encountered countless subjects coming up with diverse myths and other illogical beliefs. Most of these have their roots deeply seated in cultural and religious factors. These myths have got a significant impact on oral health of the population, leading to a poor oral health status and ultimately degrading the oral health related quality of life. There is an urgent need to break this chain of unreasoned concepts that is being passed from one generation to the next. It is a difficult task but not impossible. The requirement of the hour is to impart dental health education at grass root level for behavioural modification and dissolving the irrational beliefs for increasing oral health awareness and dental care utilization rate.