Arun K Simon|Ashwini Rao|G Rajesh|Ramya Shenoy|M. M. Manohara Pai
Influence of oral health literacy on the oral health status of school teachers in Mangalore, India
Manipal Academy of Higher Education|Manipal Academy of Higher Education|Manipal Academy of Higher Education|Manipal Academy of Higher Education|Manipal Academy of Higher Education
background problem low oral health literacy ohl often neglected may lead poor oral health outcomes underutilization oral care services objectives aim study determine influence ohl oral health status school teachers mangalore karnataka materials methods crosssectional survey 260 school teachers presently working schools mangalore undertaken details regarding demographics medical dental history oral hygiene practices habits diet history decay promoting potential school teachers obtained using facetoface interview method rapid estimate adult literacy dentistry99 reald99 used assess ohl oral examination conducted following administration questionnaire school campus using oral health assessment form1997 results mean age study population 39 1042 years ohl high school teachers reald99 scores ranging 45 95 mean score 7583 994 positive correlation ohl filled teeth ft r 0195 n 260 p 0002 study found statistically significant difference ohl education f 3256 962 p 0001 frequency brushing t258 2253 p 0025 ft t258 3200 p 0002 conclusions although study indicated high ohl levels among school teachers mangalore karnataka magnitude dental caries population also relatively high healthy periodontium