Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 11

Assessment of Oral Health Status for Formulation of Draft Oral Health Policy for the Residents of Chennai City, Tamil Nadu-A Pilot Study

  • Author:
  • Shreelakshmi Sekar1, Meignana Arumugham Indiran2,, Pradeep Kumar Rathinavelu3, Srisakthi Doraikannan3
  • Total Page Count: 10
  • Page Number: 3786 to 3795

1Post Graduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India

2Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India

3 Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India

*Corresponding Author: Meignana Arumugham Indiran, Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, No: 162, Poonamalle High Road, Chennai-600 077, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: phdsaveetha1@gmail.com, Telephone: 8144542777

Online published on 27 March, 2020.

Abstract

Oral Health is a fundamental human right. It is an integral portion reflecting the status of overall general health. Poor oral health is commonly associated with many systemic diseases. Oral diseases qualify as a major public health problem at global level owing to its high prevalence. India is no exception and due to its large population size, the absolute burden of oral diseases is immense. Oral health is not usually considered as a matter of concern and given priority in most of the developing countries.

To assess the status of oral health of residents in Chennai for formulating a draft oral health policy.

A cross-sectional survey was carried out using convenient sampling methodology. Data were collected according to the World Health Organization oral health assessment criteria 2013. The data tested for significance using statistical software packages, SPSS Software version 17.0.Frequency tables were computed. Chi square test was done to test whether the difference in the various parameters is statistically significant.

Out of 318 males, 117(36.79%) require scaling and 250 (78.61%) of them need restorative treatments. Extraction is indicated for 27 (8.49%).Prosthetic treatment is recommended for nearly 50 (15.72%) of them. It also shows that out of 282 females, around 178 members comprising of 63.12% require scaling, 220 (63.12%) need restorative treatments while extraction is indicated for 78(27.65%) of them and 50(15.72) women were recommended prosthetic treatments.

The study population was characterized by high prevalence of dental caries.

Keywords

Oral Diseases, Prevalence, Residents, Oral Health Status, Oral Health Policy