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- Title
Knowledge, attitude, and practice: Oral hygiene status of sanitary workers in Chennai.
- Authors
Nagarajan, Keerthiga; Ganapathy, M. Dhanraj
- Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) on oral hygiene status among sanitary workers in Chennai. Background: A KAP survey is a quantitative method that provides access to quantitative and qualitative information. Oral hygiene can be defined as a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral sores, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity. The disparity in the lifestyle of sanitary workers from the normal population and their limited education may show variations in their level of knowledge, attitude, and oral hygiene practices. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire that assessed the KAP of sanitary workers on oral hygiene was made and distributed among 72 sanitary workers from Saveetha Dental College and Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai. Their responses were recorded and analyzed, and their KAP level was evaluated. Results: Only 13% of the sanitary workers surveyed have had formal education. 55% of the uneducated sanitary workers believe that using neem sticks is the ideal method to clean teeth. 50% of the sanitary workers are slaves to tobacco addiction. 50% of them who do not visit the dentist blame their jobs to be the reason for it. The overall KAP level of the sanitary workers surveyed was found to be 52.83%. Conclusion: The KAP level of oral hygiene of these sanitary workers is a reflection of their educational status and inability to afford dental consultations due to their job scenarios. Free dental camps and distribution of oral hygiene products can, therefore, considerably better the oral hygiene status of sanitary workers.
- Subjects
CHENNAI (India); ORAL hygiene; ORAL hygiene products; NICOTINE addiction; FACIAL pain; DENTAL caries; EMPLOYEES
- Publication
Drug Invention Today, 2019, Vol 11, Issue 4, p879
- ISSN
0975-7619
- Publication type
Article