FAKE NEWS, MYTHS AND REMEDIES REGARDING ORAL HEALTH CARE IN PATIENTS COMING TO A RIVATE TEACHING DENTAL HOSPITAL OF PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN.

Abstract

Objective: To determive the frequent of myths and remedies rampant among the patients visiting a private teaching dental hospital. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study at SBDC Peshawar, Pakistan, of patients coming to the hospital in months of Sept-Oct 2019. They were questioned about wrong beliefs, erroneous remedies and fake news among the masses. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16. Results: The sample comprised of 250 adults with 66.8% males and 33.2% females. Mean age was found to be 29.87 with a SD of 11.36. Most common beliefs were that whiter teeth are sign of healthy teeth (77.3%) and intake of antibiotics is mandatory after every extraction and RCT (66.8%). Many believed that scaling can weaken teeth (44%) and amalgam can cause cancer (40.8%). did regular dental checkups were not regarded important by 40.8%. A large number of female population (51.8%) believed in false remedies like treating a painful tooth with clove oil, aspirin and salt water rinses. Conclusion: There is wide spread of misconception in public about oral health care and what constitutes a healthy dentition as well as the proper management of oral health diseases.