Tooth morbidity and its impact on oral related quality of life in elderly tribal population-The Irula experience

The results regarding the elderly community of Irula point towards the severe oral health disparities observed among them; thus, this raises an urgent need to develop a public health intervention for this eminent existing fact. Removing education and socioeconomic barriers, improving access to dental health care, and advocating culturally appropriate preventive programs could increase OHRQoL. Longitudinal study and policy-driven approaches should be carried out in future studies for sustainable health equity of the tribal population.