Oral health screening of residents of bhagwanpur rural municipality, Siraha, Nepal

Abstract

Context: Dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis are very common oral health problems of Nepalese population, and the severity is more among underprivileged population groups. Aims: This study aimed at screening for oral hygiene status, oral mucosal condition, gingival condition, dental caries, tobacco use, and socioeconomic status of residents of Bhagwanpur Rural Municipality, Siraha, Nepal. Settings and Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among residents of Bhagwanpur Rural Municipality. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted among randomly selected 285 people aged 5–85 years from 142 households of Bhagwanpur Rural Municipality, Siraha, Nepal. The Modified Kuppuswamy Scale was used for assessing socioeconomic status. Oral examination was performed using mouth mirror and the World Health Organization (WHO) probe as mentioned in the WHO Oral Health Survey Methods 1997. Oral hygiene status, oral mucosal conditions, gingival status, dentition status, and treatment needs were recorded. Tobacco prevalence was assessed through structured questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: Frequency distribution, mean, standard deviations, prevalence of dental caries, and tobacco use were calculated. Results: Majority (166, 58.2%) were male. The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed and filled teeth (dft) were found to be 2.00 ± 4 and 0.60 ± 1, respectively. The prevalence of dental caries in permanent and primary dentition was 41.5% and 37.6%, respectively. Oral health status was poor. All the participants had inflamed gingiva. The tobacco prevalence was 95 (33.33%). Majority of people (253, 88.8%) belonged to low-socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The study showed poor oral hygiene, low dft/DMFT, lower prevalence of dental caries, and high tobacco use prevalence, and a higher number of people belonged to low-socioeconomic status.