Source 17

The title of this journal was "Oral hygiene practices and habits among dental professionals in Chennai".

The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral hygiene practices and habits among practicing general dentists as well to know their opinions on the use of tobacco and its products on periodontal health and oral health.

Oral self care practices have been proved to be an effective preventive measure at individual level for maintaining good oral health as part of general health. Studies have shown that brushing, particularly with fluoride tooth pastes, reduces dental caries, but the effect of oral hygiene on periodontitis has not been clearly demonstrated.

It has been shown that health practices of physicians determine what they tell their patients. A similar trend can be anticipated among dental practitioners as well. Oral diseases are primarily considered behavioral diseases, thus adopting healthy habits is essential to control them. Dental health practices are predominantly learned from a combination of sources: the dental profession, through professional learning and through personal and parental influences.

The direct causes for the current improvement in oral health include improved nutrition and diet, regular use of fluoride and better oral hygiene. [13] Recommended oral self care (ROSC) includes tooth brushing more than once a day, eating sugary snacks less daily and regular use of fluoride tooth paste.

Regular dental checkups [4] and non-smoking [5] are recommended for maintaining optimal oral health. To improve oral health of the populations, WHO has set the promotion of self care of as one of the goals for the year 2020. [6] Recommended oral self care (ROSC) includes tooth brushing more than once a day, lesser consumption of sugar containing snacks once daily or rarely and regular use of fluoride containing tooth paste. Since dentists are expected to be role models to their patients, evaluation of ROSC of dentists themselves will provide an estimate of the extent to which they follow ROSC.

A total of 700 dentists completed and returned the questionnaire and the results were statistically analyzed and compared gender wise, age wise regarding oral hygiene practices, dental attendance ,smoking, professional reading and concepts about tobacco use.

Oral hygiene practices

More than half of the dentists (55.9%) reported that they brushed twice a day and used a fluoridated tooth paste always while brushing (55.1%). 59.4% reported that they had a sugar containing snack or drink between meals rarely. 9.2% of them reported that they flossed at least once daily [Table 1].

About 19.6% of dental professionals followed the recommended level of the three behaviors included in recommended oral self care (ROSC). In the above 45 years age group, a prominent gender difference was seen - 56.3% for women against 16.7% for men. The overall ROSC scores were higher for women than men in all categories except in the 35 - 44 years age group were men had a better ROSC as compared to women.

Dental attendance

Looking into attendance, 35.7% (250 dentists) reported that they go for a dental check up only when there is a problem and 34% reported regular dental checkups every six months; 40.3% (282) of dentists had gone for a dental check up within the last six months and 24.7% (173) of dentists had a dental check up within the last one year. About 69.3% (485) of dental professionals had no decayed teeth and 27.9% (195) had 1 - 4 decayed teeth; 81.1% (568 dentists) were non smokers, 5.7% (40 dentists) used tobacco products and 5.1% used tobacco products but had quit the habit now.

Smoking

Out of 700 respondents, 568 were non-smokers; four out of five dentists had never used tobacco products; 18.1% had used tobacco products at sometime and this was greatest in the less than 35 years age group. Compared to men, the usage of tobacco among women was lesser and it was lesser among older age groups. Those who use tobacco products were found to brush more often (61% vs. 55%), consume less sugar containing snacks between meals (43% vs. 63%), use fluoride containing paste regularly (67% vs. 53%) and follow ROSC (21% vs. 19%). Non tobacco users were found to floss regularly when compared to those who use tobacco products (3% vs. 11%).

Professional reading

Among the 700 dental professionals, 85.6% of them were postgraduates; 558 read both national and international dental journals and 11.6% read international journals alone. It can be expected that those with a wider range of professional reading will follow the recommended oral self care and are more likely to brush twice a day, use a fluoridated tooth paste regularly and consume less of sugary snacks between meals.

This is interesting because it shows the level of understanding among practicing dentist and in turn what gets relayed to their patients. Thus, ultimately affecting all dental patients in some way.