Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward oral health among frontline healthcare workers in India

Objectives: Oral health problems have become one of the most significant public health issues in India. Oral diseases can be controlled only if the services focus on primary healthcare and prevention. The role of frontline healthcare workers is crucial in management of oral health issues specially where there is a shortage of dentists. The Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) are those grassroots-level workers in India. Hence, the study was aimed at evaluating the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward oral health among AWW. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 218 AWWs in the Rewari District of Haryana, India. Data were gathered using a self-structured questionnaire. Questions included information related to dental caries, mother’s diet during pregnancy, and many other covariables. Results: A total of 218 AWW were part of the research. About 31.7% of AWW had an acceptable level of knowledge, whereas 74.3% showed a favorable attitude. The results showed potential for this group to be used to spread primary-level preventive messages related to good oral health. Conclusion: Good sensitization of this primary-level health workforce toward oral health can go a long way in transforming the KAPs of the rural population, too.