Comparative study of risk indicators associated with tooth loss among adult population in urban and rural areas of Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

Rural-urban differences in oral health among older people in Southern Brazil

This study aimed to assess the association between oral health and rurality in an older Brazilian population. Population-based samples of 1,451 urban and 411 rural elders were obtained from two databases. Several oral health and related measures, including the number of teeth lost, use of dental prostheses, dental visits, self-reported oral health, and perceived need for a dental prosthesis, were compared. Oral health-related information was obtained by a trained research team with interviews conducted in the individuals' homes. Regression models were used to verify the association between living in rural areas and oral health outcomes after adjusting for possible confounding factors. The elderly population mostly comprised of women in rural or urban areas, and the mean age was 70 years in both locations. Less-educated individuals (without or with complete elementary schooling) were more common in rural regions than in urban areas. After adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics, living in rural areas was associated with a lower perceived need for dental prostheses (PR 0.68, 95% CI 0.56-0.84), poor self-reported oral health (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.05-1.46), and having fewer teeth (β -1.31; 95% CI -2.18 to -0.45). The place of residence had a significant impact on oral health indicators, with rurality negatively influencing oral health. These findings suggest that preventive and curative strategies for dental services may be needed for the Brazilian rural population.

Knowledge and awareness of dental implants among Syrian refugees: a cross sectional study in Zaatari camp

Background

The popularity of implant dentistry is increasing dramatically, but the success of implant treatment depends on a patient’s knowledge and expectations.

Methods

This study aimed to assess dental implant knowledge among refugees as a treatment option (n = 565), using face-to-face interviews. The frequency distribution of the responses in general and according to age, gender and education was calculated.

Results

81.8% of the interviewees had missing teeth, however, only 26.2% replaced them. 16.6% of participants had never/hardly heard about implants. Females who never heard of implants were more than males (P < 0.001). 51.3% of participants described dental implants as a screw, and only 35.4% knew implants were placed in jawbones. 6.2% of respondents reported that implants required more care than a natural teeth, with 47.6% believing that diseases affect implant success. Friends were the main source of information (61.4%). Highly educated participants showed higher knowledge about implants.

Conclusions

The surveyed sample revealed limited knowledge about dental implants with high cost being a major obstacle, warranting more strategies to increase awareness and to make implants more affordable for this population.

Oral health literacy: A practical strategy towards better oral health status among adult population of Ghaziabad district

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Despite tremendous considerable effort by health professionals to promote oral health to create beautiful smiles, gap between oral health knowledge and practice undoubtedly still remains. Thus the aim of this study was to assess the Oral health literacy level and its impact on socioeconomic and oral health status among adult population in Ghaziabad district.

METHODS

A total of 600 study subjects aged 18-64 years from all 4 blocks of Ghaziabad visiting various outreach programmes using a multistage random sampling technique were included in the study. A specially designed questionnaire assessed the demographic variables. Oral health literacy level (OHL) was assessed with help of a bilingually adapted Hindi OHL tool. Clinical examination was recorded using WHO (World Health Organization) Oral Health Assessment Form 2013.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study subjects was 43.9 ± 14.36 years. Majority 300 (50%) study subjects had inadequate oral health literacy level followed by Marginal oral health literacy level which was seen among 180 (30%) subjects and 120 (20%) subjects had adequate oral health literacy level. Oral health literacy level was slightly higher among females as compared to male subjects although the results were not statistically significant. A statistically significant difference was found between oral health literacy and oral health status as well as socioeconomic status. (P value ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A significant association between OHL and oral health status was found stating Oral health literacy as an efficient role in influencing oral health outcome of any individual.