Oral hygiene practice and awareness among elderly patients attending a dental college, Chennai

Year : 2024 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 2 | Page : 58-63

Oral hygiene practice and awareness among elderly patients attending a dental college, Chennai

Logesh Sidhu1*, Sivasankari Boobalan2, Priyadharshini Ragavane3

1* Post graduate student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University, Pondicherry 2 Postgraduate student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 3 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University, Pondicherry

Address for Correspondence:

Logesh Sidhu,

Post graduate student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University, Pondicherry

Email-Id: logeshswift1998@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: This study deals with the concepts assocıated wıth knowledge and awareness of elderly people towards oral health, Explore the challenges contributing to inadequate oral health among elderly individuals and the outcomes associated with neglecting their dental care. Aim was to evaluate the understanding, perspectives, and practices of elderly individuals regarding oral health and dental care, along with examining the factors influencing these aspects.

Materials and methods: A total of 100 elderly patients were randomly chosen from a dental college in Chennai. Each participant was asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire. The collected data were recorded and managed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17. Descriptive analysis was conducted, which included calculating frequencies, percentages, and means to assess the patients' oral health knowledge and oral hygiene practices.

Results: A structured questionnaire was used to interview 100 patients, focusing on their knowledge of oral health and oral hygiene practices. Results obtained from this questionnaire are, 92% of them brushes once a day whereas 8% of has the habit of brushing at least twice daily. 100% people who undertaken this study brushes their teeth in the morning. When the question was about the oral hygiene method, they follow 85% answered they use only tooth brush,10% used mouthwash along with tooth brush and 5% used toothpicks along with toothbrush.

Conclusion: This study concludes that elderly patients maintained a routine tooth brushing habit but lacked awareness of proper oral hygiene methods and treatment procedures. Dentists play a crucial role in promoting the health of the elderly population. By remaining vigilant to dental risk factors and conducting thorough screenings, they can identify issues early on, allowing for timely interventions that are both effective and beneficial.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest

How to Cite this article: Logesh Sidhu, Sivasankari Boobalan & Priyadharshini Ragavane. Oral hygiene practice and awareness among elderly patients attending a dental college, Chennai. Int J Comm Dent 2024; 12(2); 58 -63. https://doi.org/10.56501/intjcommunitydent.v12i2.1161