Assessment of Dental Caries, Periodontal Status, and Personality Trait among Population of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Assessment of dental caries, periodontitis, and personality trait among population of Dehradun. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This survey was conducted on 480 subjects age ranged 34-45 years of both genders (males-250, females-230). Decayed Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, periodontal status, and personality trait were recorded. RESULTS: Age group 34-39 years is comprised of 130 males and 140 females and 40-45 years had 120 males and 90 females. Maximum males (120) were laborer and females were housewife (160). Commonly used method of oral hygiene practice was tooth powder by 80 males and 103 females. Maximum subjects of extroversion (180) was seen in age group 40-45 years, maximum females (110) were housewife with extroversion trait, maximum extroversion trait subjects were using tooth powder (113) and datum (100). Mean DMFT score in subjects was 2.52 and community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) score was 3.41. There were 310 extroversion subjects, 120 neuroticism subjects, and 50 combinations of both extroversion and neuroticism. There was a significant difference in mean missing teeth and DMFT in subjects with different personality traits (p < 0.05). The post hoc test showed that mean missing teeth between group E and group E + N was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The post hoc test showed that the mean sextant value for score 2 between group E vs N found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Neurotic individuals were found to have poorer periodontal health as compared to extroverts. CONCLUSION: Authors found that personality trait such as psychological factors have greater impact on status of dental caries and periodontitis. Extroverts had less dental caries and better periodontal status when compared to other personality traits. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Psychological factors have a great impact on status of dental caries and periodontitis. By assessing various psychological factors, the occurrence of both can be avoided. Thus by improving oral health, overall health of an individual can be improved.