Oral Health Status and Behavior among Preschool Children and Anganwadi Workers Attending Integrated Child Developmental Scheme Anganwadi Centre of Muradnagar, Ghaziabad District, Uttar Pradesh – A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Aim: This study aims to assess oral health status and behaviors among 3–5-year-old preschoolers and Anganwadi workers (AWW) in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Murad Nagar block, Ghaziabad. A total of 300 patients were included in the sample, of which 100 were AWW and 200 were 3–5-year-old Anganwadi preschoolers. A pretested questionnaire was used to assess demographic variables and oral hygiene practices. Oral health status was assessed using the World Health Organization criteria 2013. Statistical analysis was done by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: Majority of the participants in Anganwadi population were between the ages of 35 and 45 years (38%). However, among children, majority of the participants (42%) were under the age of 3 years. In the present study, majority of the AWW (44%) were from a lower socioeconomic class. Individuals’ oral hygiene condition and dental caries were shown to have significant association. Conclusion: The oral health assessment of 3–5-year-old children attending Anganwadi centers in Ghaziabad district revealed a high prevalence of dental caries and poor oral hygiene practice. Hence, prompt action with age-specific-targeted interventions and preventive strategies is needed to maintain good oral health status.