Oral Hygiene Practices and Dentition Status of Public Transport Workers of India- A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the oral hygiene practices and dentition statuses of transport workers who were working in a public bus transport system (C.T.U.) of Chandigarh (U.T.), India.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The data were recorded on a modified W.H.O. format (1997). A total of 1008 subjects constituted the final sample size. Information was obtained regarding the oral hygiene practices and clinical examinations were conducted. Statistical analysis was done by using ANOVA and Z-test.

RESULTS

The mean age of the subjects was 45.3 ± 7.8 years. Mean DMFT of the subjects who were not using tobacco in any form was 5.02. 80.2% (808). 88.7% of the subjects brushed their teeth as least once a day. Mean number of decayed and missing teeth were 1.67 ± 2.16 and 1.46 ± 2.8, respectively and their relation with age was found to be statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Dental caries was found to be major indication in all the age groups. More elderly subjects than young needed extractions. This study emphasized the need of an improved dental awareness and availability of dental facilities to transport workers.