Oral hygiene status in South West coastal district of India

Background: To study and compare the oral hygiene status in rural and peri-urban locations of South-west coastal district in India and to study the eff ect of age, gender, location, occupation, brushing habits, and diet on the oral hygiene status. Materials and Methods: A total of 2000 patients visiting the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics of the Institute and the rural satellite centers of the same institute were randomly selected and included in the study. The oral hygiene status of each patient was recorded using the oral hygiene index-simplifi ed; under proper illumination with a mouth mirror and explorer. The data were then coded and the oral hygiene status was evaluated and analyzed according to age, gender, diet, location, and occupation using Chi-square analysis test. Results: It was seen that younger age group, urban, literate and people who brushed twice daily had better oral hygiene. Conclusion: It could be concluded that higher levels of oral hygiene among the young, urban, and literate population was seen because of oral health maintenance by regular oral cleansing at personal level as well as by trained personnel. Hence, health education and health promotion are indispensable in achieving this target.