Sarang Suresh, Priya Rani
The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of dental caries and DMFT score, characterize the oral health status and related factors among the patients visiting Dental Clinic of Rural Health Center of Nasirabad and to Design a tool and strategy to collect oral health information in rural areas to provide baseline data for improving of Dental Health Program in rural areas of Pakistan. Oral health is a highly personalized concept the awareness of which is very much affected by an individual’s beliefs and socioeconomic status. The thought of people towards their own oral health, and attitudes of dentists who deliver dental care in government hospitals of rural areas, play an important role in shaping the oral health condition of the population. Oral health, as defined by World Health Organization (WHO), is a state of being free from chronic Oro-facial ache, Oral Sores, Dental Caries and Tooth loss, periodontal diseases, or other factors that affect the health & function of the oral cavity. The caries experience varies greatly among countries and even within small regions of countries. Oral health, affecting the whole body directly or indirectly, is one determinant factor for quality of life. Oral diseases can destroy the hard tissues of the teeth and the supporting tissues around the teeth, thus impairing not only the functions of chewing, speech, and aesthetics, but also social interaction and psychological state. A close interrelationship has been established between oral and general health. Some microorganisms in the oral cavity may, over time, cause or exacerbate certain systemic diseases such as diabetes or coronary heart disease.