Assessment of Oral Health Awareness among the Individuals in Chengalpttu District: A Questionnaire Based Study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of the patients visiting the OPD Department of periodontology and implantology KARPAGA VINAYAGA INSTITUTE OF DENTAL SCIENCES Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on the patient visiting OPD of KARPAGA VINAYAGA INSTITUE OF DENTAL SCIENCES, CHENGALPATTU 300 participants participated in this pilot study. This study included a self-administered questionnaire, which took an average of about 10 minutes to complete all the question. Responses from the subjects were calculated in terms of frequency and percentages. Results: Out of 300 participants 57.7% of them visit dentist only when they have dental problem. 78% of the population is afraid to visit dentist due to fear of pain 87.3% of participants were of the opinion that tooth loss is a natural sequel of the aging process. Conclusion: There is a lack of awareness and a negligent attitude towards oral health among the general public. People must be motivated, and their attitudes towards the importance of oral health must be clarified through various programs. Comprehensive educational programs to promote excellent oral health and teach proper oral hygiene practices are desperately needed. Keywords: Oral attitudes, oral health behaviour, knowledge, and awareness