ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objectives of this stuy were to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding oral health among outpatients of Sri Sukhmani Dental College and Hospital, Dera Bassi. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey was conducted among 200 outpatients who were selected through convenient sampling technique. Data on the oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices were collected by means of a self-administered close-ended questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: Majority, 117 (58.4%) of the subjects brushed their teeth for <3 min, and about 60 (30%) were aware about the fluoridated toothpaste. Only 10 (5%) subjects used interdental devices to clean teeth. A total of 146 (73%) subjects cleaned their teeth regularly and 33 (16.5%) stopped brushing when they noticed bleeding from gums. Tobacco consumption in the form of smoking and smokeless tobacco was observed among 81 (65%) and 42 (34.1%) subjects, respectively. Half of the subjects were unaware about the role of tobacco in oral cancer as well as its impact on general health. Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude regarding oral health in a selected population are low. Systematic community-based oral health promotion should be strengthened, and preventive-oriented oral health care system is the need of the hour including further self-care practices and the use of fluoridated toothpaste.
KEYWORDS:<p><strong>KEYWORDS:</strong>Dentistry, Light amplification, Orthodontics, Stimulated emission of radiation</p>