Awareness and Asssessment of Oral Hygeine and Periodontal Status among the Construction Workers in a J Hospital Campus, Mangalore

Background: The health of construction workers goes ignored because of their stressful working conditions, busy schedules and poor economic conditions. The need for dental care should be emphasized among these workers. Limited literature on their attitude towards oral health, their awareness, habits and behavior among these construction workers incited us to assess the preventive oral health care awareness and oral hygiene practices among the construction workers in A.J hospital, campus, Mangalore. Materials and methods: Total of 136 systemically healthy construction workers were selected for the study. A questionnaire was administered by examiner. The study proforma consisted of demographic data and data related to oral hygiene habits and practices. Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified and Community Periodontal Index and Treatment Needs indices were used to record oral hygiene status and periodontal status respectively. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between the variables. P value < 0.05 were selected to denote statistical significance. Results: Majority of the workers brushed once daily and had adverse habits, poor oral hygiene status and periodontitis associated with bleeding gums and halitosis. Most of the workers had a dental visit only in problem. Conclusion: The community should be provided with dental health education by giving more importance in oral hygiene maintenance, habit counseling and regular dental visits.