A study to evaluate oral hygiene status among school going children (6-14years) in selected slum areas District Ludhiana, (Punjab)

Oral hygiene is an important part of personal health and cleanliness. Oral hygiene refers to the practice of keeping the mouth clean and free from disease by regular brushing flossing, and other oral care methods. Good oral hygiene helps to prevent dental problems such as tooth decay, gum diseases, bad breath, and oral infections. The mouth is the entry point of the digestive system, so maintaining cleanliness of the teeth and gums is necessary for overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to many health problems and can affect a person’s nutrition, speech, and confidence. The Aim of study evaluate the oral hygiene status among school going children 6-14 years. Material and methods used A community based Non-Experimental study was carried out in Ludhiana including Punjab Mata Nagar, Jawaddi, Jagraon including Dashmesh Nagar. A total 400 sample was taken using convenience sampling technique. Data was collected by using Self Structured Oral Hygiene Questionnaire and Oral Health Assessment Form for Children WHO 2013 to evaluate the oral hygiene. Data was collected using interview method, observation inspection of oral cavity. Results: The study was found that that 63% had Poor oral hygiene 37% had Good oral hygiene. 37% of school going children required preventive or routine dental treatment, which was the highest proportion among all categories. Additionally, 32.8% of children needed prompt treatment, including scaling. About 23.7% of the children did not required any treatment. Furthermore, 6.2% of the children required immediate treatment due to pain or infection of dental or oral origin. Only a very small proportion, 0.5% were referred for comprehensive evaluation or medical dental care. Conclusion: The study concluded that 63% had Poor oral hygiene and 37% had Good oral hygiene. In intervention part 37% children need routine treatment. It was that there was significant association found with evaluation of oral hygiene status with Socio demographic variables were Age , Presence of bad breath sticky deposit , toothache , time of brushing of teeth are significant with the value of (p < 0.05).