A survey on chennai population on awareness and practice on importance of oral hygiene in present covid-19 situation

Abstract

Introduction: Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's oral cavity neat, clean in order to avoid any disease initiation, progression. Oral health approaches should be customized to the lifestyles of children, and adults in order to enable them to improve personal oral hygiene and oral health. Aim: The purpose of the study was to know about the awareness and practice of oral hygiene among the general population and maintenance of oral health among the adult population in the present COVID situation. It has been difficult in obtaining dental treatment in the current COVID situation as the pandemic peaks high every day. At home, hygiene awareness is important. Methodology: A total of nearly 200 participants were requested to participate in the study. The questionnaire had 20 items which were designed in such a way to evaluate the awareness and attitude of oral hygiene in the current COVID situation. A small population of Chennai of 174 was aware of oral hygiene, especially during the current COVID-19 situations. Results: Results showed that [50.8%] of this particular age group felt that oral hygiene was as important as general measures, [81%] of the study population felt dental treatment is more important when compared to other medical treatments. Pearson Chi-square test value 9.372; p-value = 0.154 (>0.05) which is statistically not significant. Nowadays even though we have advanced in awareness of oral health care, it's not yet reached the entire population. Conclusion: Most of the people these days are aware of the basic oral hygiene techniques and show a responsible attitude towards these procedures. But there exists a circle of the population who are not aware of various oral hygiene methods. This may lead to poor oral health care.