Oral hygiene status of mentally and physically challenged individuals living in a specialized institution in Mohali, India

Abstract

Aim: To assess the oral hygiene and periodontal status of a group of mentally and physically challenged people living in a specialized institution in Mohali, Punjab, India. Materials and Methods: Study sample comprised of 100 subjects who were either mentally challenged, physically challenged, or both, living in the All India Pingalwara Society, Palsora, Mohali, Punjab. Oral hygiene status was assessed by simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) and marginal line calculus index (MLCI). A comparison was made between mentally challenged and physically challenged groups. Analysis of variance and chi square tests were applied. Results: Of the 100 subjects included, the mentally challenged group had the worst oral hygiene scores. The mean OHI-S scores of mentally challenged, physically challenged, and both mentally and physically challenged groups were 4.956 (standard deviation, 1.236), 2.581 (1.491), and 4.819 (1.752), respectively. The mean MLCI scores of mentally challenged, physically challenged, and both mentally and physically challenged groups were 77.972 (23.778), 30.529 (25.083), and 75.595 (31.181), respectively. Conclusion: This study highlights the poor oral hygiene status of the study population. The oral hygiene levels were worst in the mentally challenged group. The social services, public health authorities, and dental professionals should come together to improve this condition.