Purpose Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multifactorial disease/syndrome with epigenetic components and reduced quality of life. Sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) and COPD have been linked in studies with limited sample sizes or outside the United States(US). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the association remains in a large and representative sample of the US.Methods Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2020, on adults >18 years (n=11,090) were utilized for this study. The dependent variable was COPD (yes, no) and the primary variable of interest was percent of daily sugar caloric intake from SSB reported on 24-hour dietary recall (<10%, ≥10%). Weighted bivariate analyses and logistic regression analyses were conducted, controlling for the complex sample design and potential confounders.Results Overall, 8.6% of individuals reported COPD; 44.1% reported drinking SSBs. The percent of daily overall caloric intake from SSB was significantly associated with COPD in the multivariable logistic regression analysis (adjusted odds ratio=1.39 [95%CI:1.13, 1.72] p= 0.0027). Other factors associated with COPD were female sex, older age, poverty level, no insurance, current smoking, higher BMI, and race/ethnicity other than non-Hispanic white.Conclusion In this nationally representative study, higher caloric intake from SSBs was significantly associated with COPD. Awareness of this relationship can aid in decision making when identifying priorities for nutritional counseling in the dental hygiene care plan. Communication of this information has the potential to benefit patients' oral health, as well as their overall health and wellness.

The health and welfare of stray dogs remains a significant problem in Indonesia, primarily due to malnutrition, limited healthcare, and low public awareness of responsible pet ownership. This community service activity was carried out at the Maria Stray Home dog shelter, South Tangerang, with the aim of improving the physical and emotional well-being of shelter dogs while raising awareness among the surrounding community. The implementation method of the activity was carried out through three main approaches, namely dog ​​hygiene care through bathing activities, fulfilling nutritional needs through providing nutritious food according to a structured schedule, and counseling to the community about animal welfare and the importance of adoption. The activity was carried out through preparation, implementation, and evaluation stages with an observational and reflective approach together with the shelter manager. The results of the activity showed an improvement in the physical condition of the dogs, marked by increased cleanliness of their fur and skin and better activity responses after regular care and feeding. Emotionally, the dogs showed a decrease in aggressive and anxious behavior observed through an increase in positive responses to human interaction. The outreach activities also resulted in increased community involvement and acceptance of the shelter's existence. This activity demonstrates that structured and sustained community interventions can significantly contribute to improving the welfare of shelter dogs and strengthening public awareness and support for animal welfare efforts.

Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide and is recognized as a major cause of gastritis. The oral cavity has been suggested as a potential reservoir for this bacterium. Yet, the relationship between its presence in the mouth andstomach, as well as its possible role in dental caries, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori contamination in the saliva of patients aged four to 18 years undergoing endoscopy. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 100 children aged four to 18 years who underwent endoscopy due to gastrointestinal symptoms. Saliva samples were collected before endoscopy, and gastric biopsies were analyzed for H. pylori using standard histopathological methods, specifically the Giemsa stain. The presence ofH. pylori was confirmed through pathology results. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 23S rRNA gene was used to detect theH. pylori in saliva, and the virulence genes sabA and cagA were also examined. Dental status was assessed using theDecayed/decayed, Missing/missing, and Filled/filled Teeth/teeth (DMFT/dmft) score according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including t-tests, correlation analyses, and logistic regression; p<0.05 was considered significant. Results Overall, 61 patients (61%) tested positive for H. pylori in gastric biopsy specimens. In saliva samples, 53 patients (53%) were positive for H. pylori. Notably, all saliva-positive patients were also positive in biopsy specimens, indicating complete overlap. Among the saliva-positive samples, the virulence gene cagA was detected in eight samples (8%). In contrast, the sabA gene wasn't detected in any sample. Notably, children with H. pylori-positive saliva had a significantly higher mean number of dental caries than saliva-negative children (4.10 vs. 2.05, p<0.001). Conclusion Saliva can serve as a reservoir for H. pylori in Iranian children and could be associated with dental caries severity. Saliva testing may provide a simple, non-invasive method for early detection of H. pylori, while promoting oral hygiene and regular dental care can help prevent recurrent gastric infections and improve overall health of the children.

Long-term parasitological studies of non-human primates (NHPs) kept in zoological gardens offer valuable insights into host-parasite relationships in controlled settings. Despite regular veterinary supervision and preventative measures, many surveys have shown that captive primates often harbour diverse intestinal parasites, including species of zoonotic importance. This work summarises the historical and current parasitological research conducted on primates at Wrocław Zoological Garden, Poland, and highlights changes in diagnostic techniques, parasite diversity, and infection patterns over time. Early studies, employing classical coproscopic methods such as direct smear, decantation, and flotation, reported an overall parasite prevalence of around 40%, mainly nematodes. Later investigations expanded sampling strategies, enabling assessment of anthelmintic efficacy and resistance in specific taxa. Environmental and managerial factors - including close contact with caretakers and visitors, limited enclosure space, and inadequate pest control - were identified as key contributors to transmission. Over the past twenty years, the use of molecular diagnostic tools has considerably improved detection sensitivity, particularly for intestinal protozoa that were often missed by traditional microscopy. A notable shift in the parasite community composition has been observed: helminth prevalence has decreased, while protozoan infections have become more frequent. Whether these changes are due to methodological advancements or actual alterations in parasite ecology remains uncertain. Overall, the findings indicate that enhancements in husbandry, enclosure hygiene, and veterinary care have effectively reduced helminth transmission, yet protozoan infections continue to be common. Ongoing monitoring with molecular methods, alongside comparative studies across European zoological institutions, is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the long-term dynamics of primate parasitism in captivity.

Objectives: To translate and validate a Thai version of the Oral Health-related Caregiver Burden Index (OHBI) for caregivers in Thailand. Methods: The Japanese OHBI was translated and culturally adapted into Thai through a structured process involving forward and backward translation, expert committee review, and pre-final version testing. These steps were conducted to ensure content and face validity. The Thai OHBI was then administered to caregivers of outpatients at a general hospital in Thailand, assisting patients with major neurocognitive disorders (MNDs) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). A minimum of forty-six participants was required, accounting for dropout rates. Results: The questionnaire was initially administered to sixty caregivers, with forty-seven caregivers completing the follow-up assessment at week two. Internal consistency was acceptable, (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.676 to 0.864). Test-retest reliability, assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), ranged from 0.296 to 0.647. The Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated significant discriminant validity. Over 80% of participants reported difficulties in performing oral hygiene care for PD and MNDs patients, and approximately half of the caregivers perceived a burden in providing oral care. Conclusions: The Thai OHBI demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity. However, further testing in larger caregiver populations is required to confirm its robustness and applicability.

When life-threatening conditions develop, the outcome depends on timely and qualified care. Injuries, lengthy surgeries, disruption of vital organs, and severe intoxication — in these and other conditions, the coordination and professionalism of medical personnel play a crucial role. Nursing staff play a crucial role in the care of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), ensuring the highest level of patient care. This article focuses on the specific aspects of ICU care.

Dental home care of pets plays a critical role in preventing periodontal disease. Active methods of dental home care such as tooth brushing are recommended along with oral hygiene measures that can help reduce dental plaque. The study evaluated the effectiveness of a new topical oral gel (TOG) in controlling plaque accumulation in dogs. After scaling and polishing, 32 dogs were randomly assigned to either a control group with no further oral hygiene care or the TOG group that received an application of the oral gel once a day for 30 days. All dogs were fed the same diet during the trial. Five parameters were evaluated in 9 target teeth on days 0 and 30: periodontal disease index (PDI), calculus index (CI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), plaque index, and oral health index (OHI). On day 30, comparison between the groups showed no differences for PDI and CI. However, OHI, PDI, and GBI were significantly lower in the TOG group (P < .05). Furthermore, OHI and GBI decreased over time in the TOG group (P < .05) and not in the control group. These results show that once-daily oral applications of TOG, without mechanical action, reduced the accumulation of dental plaque in dogs.

BackgroundThe Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) is increasingly recognized as a major opportunistic pathogen in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), particularly in intensive care settings. Its clinical relevance has risen in parallel with the global spread of MDR strains, including carbapenemase producers, which complicate management and contribute to excess morbidity, prolonged hospitalization and increased healthcare costs. Outbreaks caused by ECC are often traced to contaminated water systems, medical devices, or the hands of healthcare workers, but reports from low and middle income countries (LMICs) remain scarce. In August–September 2023, a cluster of ECC infections was detected at a Level-1 trauma centre in northern India. An urgent epidemiological and microbiological investigation was undertaken to delineate transmission dynamics, identify reservoirs and guide infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.MethodsWe conducted a prospective outbreak investigation of all culture-confirmed ECC cases occurring ≥48 h after admission during August–September 2023. Cases were identified in real time and reported in parallel with implementation of control measures. Clinical and epidemiological data included demographics, comorbidities, prior antibiotic exposure, invasive device use and outcomes. Environmental surveillance targeted high-risk areas such as water sources, sinks, taps and hand swabs from healthcare workers. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using standard protocols. Infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions included reinforcement of hand hygiene, environmental decontamination, chlorination and treatment of hospital water systems, and central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) care bundles. WGS was undertaken on 10 representative isolates (5 clinical, 5 environmental) to determine clonal relatedness, sequence types, plasmid profiles and antimicrobial resistanceResultsA total of 19 developed ECC infections; 63% were admitted to the ICU. No deaths occurred. Prior antibiotic exposure was reported in 68% and invasive procedures in 74%. Median ICU stay among infected patients was 14 days compared to 8 days in non-ICU cases (P=0.03). Environmental surveillance yielded 52 ECC isolates: 60% from healthcare worker hand swabs and 40% from hospital water samples. All isolates were resistant to cefuroxime. 80% were susceptible to amikacin, meropenem, imipenem, cefepime, tigecycline and cotrimoxazole. WGS showed clonal dissemination of ST97 (60%) and ST171 (40%) with >99.8% identity between clinical and environmental isolates. Plasmids IncX3_1 and IncFII(pECLA)_1_pECLA carried blaNDM, blaACT-5 and blaSHV. Genes oqxA/oqxB (100%) and fosA (68%) were detected. Following IPC interventions, ECC incidence decreased from 15.8 to 6.7 cases per 1000 patient-days (P<0.05). Water contamination fell from 40% to 10%, and hand hygiene compliance improved from 60% to 85%. No additional cases occurred after September 2023.ConclusionsThis outbreak was driven by clonal dissemination of ECC, primarily through water systems and healthcare worker hands. WGS provided high resolution evidence linking clinical and environmental isolates, enabling targeted interventions. The multimodal IPC response including reinforced hand hygiene, water decontamination and central line care bundles successfully reduced transmission and contained the outbreak. However, residual water contamination highlights the resilience of ECC in biofilm-associated reservoirs. Our findings underscore the value of integrating genomic epidemiology into outbreak investigations in LMIC settings and the need for sustained environmental monitoring.

Aim: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a widespread and multifactorial oral disease that affects children globally. Parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors are crucial in preventing ECC and supporting oral health. This study evaluated Croatian parents’ understanding of children’s oral health, their awareness of ECC risk factors, and their oral hygiene practices. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous and voluntary online questionnaire from October to December 2024 among 948 parents of children aged 1–7 years across Croatia. The study assessed parents’ knowledge of oral health, their understanding of the relationship between risk factors and early childhood caries, habits related to oral hygiene care, children’s experiences with oral health problems, parents’ self-assessment of their knowledge, as well as both their own and their children’s general and oral health and hygiene practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: Overall parental knowledge was moderate, with significantly higher scores among older parents, those with university education, healthcare workers, and families with higher incomes (p < 0.05). Parents demonstrated good awareness of the importance of supervising tooth brushing until age seven (93.8%) and fluoride use (81.8%); yet gaps persisted regarding bacterial transmission, tooth eruption, and early orthodontic evaluation. Preventive dental visits were frequently delayed, and only 25.0% of parents reported using interdental cleaning aids. Caries was the most common oral health issue among children (22.3%). Conclusions: Despite moderate awareness and some adherence to preventive measures, significant knowledge and practice gaps remain among Croatian parents. Targeted educational interventions and nationwide preventive strategies are necessary to strengthen oral health literacy and reduce ECC prevalence.

This study looks at how red betel (Piper crocatum) extract can help keep women's reproductive health in good condition using natural methods. The research used a descriptive qualitative approach, mainly by looking at existing scientific articles and data from journals and databases between 2015 and 2025. The focus was on finding out which active ingredients are in red betel, how they fight bacteria, and why they might be useful in preventing infections in the female reproductive system. The research shows that red betel has compounds like flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolics that work together to stop harmful bacteria from growing, especially Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These compounds fight bacteria in several ways, such as breaking down the bacterial cell walls, stopping important enzymes from working, and messing up the bacteria's energy processes. Studies also show that using red betel in the form of a decoction can help reduce symptoms like vaginal discharge while keeping the good bacteria in the vagina balanced. Compared to man-made antiseptics, red betel has similar antibacterial effects but causes less irritation and is less likely to lead to bacteria becoming resistant. This makes it a promising option for a safe and eco-friendly natural alternative in feminine hygiene and women's health care. More research is needed to find the best way to extract these compounds and to test their effectiveness through proper clinical studies.

Female sexual health: the use of videos in Brazilian sign language (Libras) to make knowledge accessible for deaf women.

IntroductionBinge drinking in the previous month was reported in 23.5% of US adults, and 28.1 million adults met criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in 2023. Individuals with AUD face increased risks of oral health problems, including caries, periodontal disease and mucosal lesions. Poor oral hygiene, nutrition and dental care all contribute to these conditions, but individuals with AUD are often under-represented in oral health surveys. Understanding relationships between oral health behaviours, attitudes and general health is crucial for designing future interventions. This pilot aims to explore the relationship between oral and systemic health in subjects with AUD, focusing on oral health behaviours, salivary biomarkers and clinical phenotype, including systemic biomarkers of inflammation, to inform future research on oral–systemic interactions in AUD.Methods and analysisThis protocol has two parts. Part 1 involves cognitive interviews to assess the content validity and interpretability of the Oral Health Behaviours Assessment (OHBA) questionnaire. Part 2 will collect biological and behavioural data from treatment-seeking patients with AUD and matched controls (age, sex and smoking status), including saliva, blood, dental exams, and health behaviour and symptom measures. Inpatients with AUD will provide biospecimens and answer symptom severity questionnaires at admission and again at the dental exam visit (7–12 days later), while controls will provide a single set of measures at their dental exam visit. Oral health will be assessed through structured dental and periodontal examinations, radiographs and validated questionnaires (including the OHBA). Additional data will include alcohol use history, psychiatric and medical history assessments, dietary recall, and measures of stress, sleep and mood to capture potential moderators of oral–systemic relationships. Biomarkers of inflammation and stress will be quantified from saliva and blood using immunoassays. Primary outcomes will compare oral health, salivary biomarkers and clinical measures between AUD and controls, while secondary outcomes will evaluate within-subject changes in patients with AUD during inpatient treatment and early abstinence.Ethics and disseminationThis clinical protocol was approved by the National Institutes of Health Institutional Review Board (IRB #002005). Prior to enrolling, participants will be informed of the study purpose, risks and benefits, and study procedures, and evaluated for understanding prior to signing consent. Part 1 of the protocol is currently active and recruiting participants for cognitive interviews. The study findings will be disseminated through journals and conferences related to addiction medicine, psychology, immunology, neuroscience and dentistry. We expect the results of the pilot study will inform future research on oral health and salivary bioscience while also providing treatment-seeking patients with AUD targeted information on the importance of oral health behaviours for maintaining oral and systemic health.Trial registration numberNCT06684483; preresults.

Oral hygiene care and the management of oral symptoms in patients with cancer in palliative care.

A family member who acts as a caregiver is subjected to continuous distress while taking care of a stroke patient due to physical and psychological burdens. Most caregivers in Indonesia, or 47,2%, are young women. Research revealed that 45% of caregivers for stroke survivors experienced depression, and 64% underwent work and financial loads. Caregivers are responsible for feeding, maintaining hygiene, and doing daily activities in their caring. Several studies have focused on the stroke patients’ medical problems, whereas this study attempted to investigate the burden on family members as caregivers. This study employed a qualitative case study approach, utilizing a single-case study design. The data was processed using Colaizzi’s data analysis, which includes reading, identifying significant opinions, formulating meaning, and theming. The results revealed four themes on the caregivers’ burden, namely physical problems, hygiene care, medical care costs, and limited socializing activities. To summarize, physical problems are the main cause of caregivers’ distress, and caregivers are recommended to organize shifting schedules among family members in order to spare more time for their caring or any recreational activities.

The experiment was conducted from August, 2018 to May, 2019 in Hisar to study menstrual hygiene practices among rural adolescent girls in Gawar and Burak villages of Hisar Block II. Menstruation, a natural process in adolescent females, involves the shedding of blood for about one week each month from puberty until menopause. Menarche typically occurs between 11 and 15 years, with an average age of 13 years. The menstrual flow comprised blood, mucus, endometrial fragments, and vaginal epithelial cells. Menstrual hygiene refers to the maintenance of genital cleanliness, use of sanitary absorbents, and provision of appropriate hygienic and emotional care during menstruation. The study was conducted in Gawar and Burak villages of Hisar Block II, where 50 females were selected from each village through random sampling, resulting in a total sample of 100 respondents. Findings revealed that fewer than half of the participants bathed daily and cleaned the external genitalia with plain water twice a day. A majority reused washed cloths as absorbents, changing them twice every 12 hours and reusing them for one to two cycles. Dustbins were commonly used for disposal, but they faced many difficulties in drying absorbents after washing. Increased water intake during menstruation was also reported. The high cost of sanitary napkins deterred their use, despite the presence of separate functional girls’ toilets in schools. The study suggested government interventions, including subsidies on sanitary napkins, installation of sanitary napkin vending machines in schools, and training for rural communities to produce low-cost sanitary napkins locally, to improve menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls.

Objective. To analyse and evaluate the results and effectiveness of ocular prosthetics in patients with congenital anophthalmia and microphthalmia based on four years of observation data. Materials and methods. The clinical observation group consisted of 270 (two hundred and seventy) patients: 202 patients with congenital anophthalmia (74.8% of patients) and 68 patients with congenital microphthalmia (25.2% of patients). A retrospective study was conducted based on clinical data collected between 2020 and 2024 at the Eye Prosthetics Centre in Moscow. The age of the patients ranged from 1 month to 80 years. The ophthalmological examination included: assessment of the conjunctival cavity (condition of the arches, its configuration), external examination methods (position of the eyelids, width of the eye slit) and biomicroscopy of the conjunctiva and the surface of the ocular prosthesis. Photography was used at all stages for objective assessment of the results and monitoring of effectiveness. Discussion. Retrospective analysis of the effectiveness of ocular prosthetics in patients with congenital anophthalmia and microphthalmia revealed that the results depended on age and management tactics. The key prognostic factors for success were: early primary prosthetics, adherence to the schedule for planned replacement of ocular prostheses, thorough hygiene and regular care of the conjunctival cavity and prosthesis, and the absence of conjunctival inflammation. Conclusion. Stepwise ocular prosthetics is a key rehabilitation method for patients with congenital anophthalmia and microphthalmia. The best functional and cosmetic results are observed with the use of custom-made prostheses that compensate for the missing volume and accurately imitate the appearance of a healthy eye. A comprehensive approach minimises psychological trauma and creates conditions for successful social adaptation of the patient.

There is a need to develop comprehensive guidelines to encourage the promotion of oral hygiene care among older adults and to assist caregivers in this endeavor, taking into consideration the specific challenges that arise from aging, comorbidities and caregiving. This review was conducted by searching across relevant literature from meta-databases including Academic Google, PubMed, Scielo and Scopus for studies published from 2020 to 2024. PRISMA guidelines were followed. We included articles that described oral hygiene methods, caregiver education and mechanization status of older adults. Common themes, best practices, and gaps in current guidelines were tracked using extracted and analyzed data. The review revealed multiple factors affecting the oral hygiene of older adults, with themes relating to physical impairment, cognitive dysfunction, and caregiver involvement. Highlighted between the approaches are individualized therapy for oral hygiene, caregiver education, and the use of technology to improve adherence to oral hygiene. Barriers like dental care access, underlying medical conditions complicating dental treatments, and cost considerations were identified. The findings emphasize the necessity of clear recommendations that can help caregivers and advance dental care for older adults.

Health literacy plays a pivotal role in enabling individuals to access, comprehend, and apply health-related information to make informed decisions. In maternal and newborn health, adequate health literacy is essential for promoting healthy behaviors and outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the health literacy levels of pregnant women and their readiness for newborn hygienic care, and to examine associations with sociodemographic characteristics. This cross-sectional study included 716 pregnant women aged 18-50 years who applied to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinics of Konya City Hospital between January and July 2023. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Health Literacy Scale - Short Form, and the Scale for Pregnant Women's Readiness for Newborn Hygienic Care. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Higher health literacy levels were observed among participants with secondary or higher education, urban residence, nuclear families, and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Similarly, greater readiness for newborn hygienic care was associated with having children, a healthy diet, and prior education on baby care. A significant positive correlation was found between health literacy and readiness scores. The study highlights a positive relationship between health literacy and preparedness for newborn care among pregnant women. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted educational interventions to enhance maternal health literacy and improve newborn care practices. Integrating health literacy components into prenatal education may contribute to better maternal and child health outcomes.

BackgroundDenture stomatitis is a prevalent oral infection commonly affecting denture wearers with inadequate oral hygiene cares. This susceptibility stems from the porous and rough nature of denture bases, which readily harbor bacteria and promote plaque accumulation. This study aimed to modify the surface of denture bases with a chlorhexidine (CHX) coating to promote antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans.MethodsDenture bases were coated with chlorhexidine-loaded poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) micelles (CHX-micelles) using the solvent evaporation method. The surface was coated using a layer-by-layer (LbL) dip coating process involving CHX-micelles and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The total number of LbL coating cycles was adjusted, and the coating thickness, drug content, CHX-release, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of the coated denture base were evaluated. One-way ANOVA and Two-way ANOVA were performed. Statistical significance is defined as p < 0.05.ResultsThe optimized coated denture base, with 90 layers, achieved a maximum coating thickness of 13.33 ± 2.41 μm and a CHX content of 23.64 ± 4.71 µg/cm2. This coating exhibited sustained CHX release over 14 days. Even with a non-polished side, the coated surface displayed a reduced contact angle, which would decrease fungal adhesion. The adherence of C. albicans to the surface was also significantly reduced by the antifungal activity of CHX-micelles coated denture base, and this activity sustained for 14 days. Whereas free CHX decreased cell viability to less than 80% with 50, 75, and 100% of extracted solution, CHX-micelles contributed more than 85% of cell viability, comparable to non-coated denture base.ConclusionThe development of antimicrobial denture bases using this coating method has shown promising results. The optimized coating effectively prolonged CHX release, inhibited fungal growth, and maintained biocompatibility.

Background: Smoking is a major risk factor for systemic and oral diseases, yet many smokers demonstrate poor oral hygiene and irregular dental care evaluate the oral Therefore, the aim of this a study is evaluate oral health status of male smokers in Benghazi and assess associations with their smoking practices. Methodology: A cross-sectional study analyzed secondary data from 100 male smokers (response rate 82.5%) attending the Specialized Oral and Dental Education Center. A structured questionnaire collected socio-demographic and behavioral data, while oral health status was assessed using DMFT, OHI-S, and GI indices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 28, applying Chi-square, ANOVA, and T-tests (p ≤ 0.05). Results: Over half of participants were older than 35 years, 37% had higher education, and 78% reported good socioeconomic status. Most (80%) visited dentists only when in pain, and 34% brushed twice daily. DMFT was significantly higher among older, less educated, and poorer participants (p &lt; 0.001). OHI-S and GI were also worse in those with low education and income. Smoking frequency showed a dose–response effect, with heavier smokers exhibiting higher caries and gingival inflammation. Notably, 58% expressed willingness to quit, mainly for medical reasons. Conclusion and recommendation: Smoking frequency and poor oral hygiene practices were strongly associated with adverse oral health outcomes. Preventive strategies should focus on oral health education, smoking cessation support, and regular dental check-ups.