Assessment of Oral Health Status among Pattachitra Artisans of Heritage Village Raghurajpur, Puri District, Odisha, India

Aim: This study was conducted to assess oral health status among Pattachitra artisans of heritage village Raghurajpur, located in the Puri district, Odisha.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 608 Pattachitra artisans residing in Heritage Village Raghurajpur, Puri District, Odisha.Participants aged 18 and above participated in the study.The oral health status of the participants was evaluated utilizing the modified WHO oral health assessment form for adults (2013), which included data on demographic factors, oral hygiene habits and personal habits.A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Males comprised 60.4% of the participants, representing the predominant gender group in the study.A total of 61.6% of participants used a toothbrush to clean their oral cavity, and most of them used nonfluoridated toothpaste (65.3%).When assessed for personal habits, 56.6% participants consumed paan.About 74.6% of the subjects had bleeding gums.The mean decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) score was higher among subjects aged 74-90 years.Tobacco pouch keratosis was found to have the highest 192(36.0%)prevalence of oral mucosal conditions among the study participants.Around 84.3% males and 81.9% females required prompt treatment, including scaling.Conclusion: A higher prevalence of dental caries was found among the participants.Oral conditions such as tobacco pouch keratosis and oral submucous fibrosis were evident among them.The periodontal health of the artisans was compromised.Clinical significance: Pattachitra artisans of Raghurajpur represent a culturally unique yet underserved occupational group whose traditional artistic practices, involving prolonged working hours and exposure to natural pigments, may predispose them to oral health problems.The findings provide valuable baseline data that can guide the formulation of targeted preventive and promotive oral health programs, including oral hygiene education, periodic screening, and occupational health awareness.