Oral Health Survey in Rural and Urban Population from Central India.

BACKGROUND: Public health authorities and decision-makers need the tools, capacity, and information necessary for assessing health needs, choosing intervention strategies, and drafting policy guidelines. Inadequate information about the oral health of populations leads to ineffective policies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 47,837 randomly selected individuals participated in the study: 19,760 from urban regions and 28,077 from rural regions. The study population was the World Health Organization-specified index age groups of 5, 12, 35-44, and 60 years and above, which was modified for the Indian population. Information was collected for demographic details, behavioral practices, available infrastructure, workforce, and public dental services provided in each district. Oral examinations were conducted at individual households for dental caries, periodontal disease, malocclusion, dental fluorosis, and oromucosal lesions. Risk factors for oral diseases were identified using regression analysis. RESULTS: A high prevalence of oral disease, extremely low utilization of dental care services, and a high dental prosthetic need were noted in the study population. Early childhood caries was noted among 46.9% and 53.6% of 5-year-old children in the urban and rural regions, respectively. The prevalence of dental fluorosis among 12-year-old rural and urban children was at 9.2% and 8.8%, respectively. Periodontal predicaments were noted among 50%, 75%, and 86% of the population in the target age groups of 12, 35-44, and 60 years and above, respectively. Malocclusion was noted among 20% and 25% of the study population in the 12 and 35-44 years' age group, respectively. The prevalence of complete edentulism among older adults was observed in 13% and 11.5% of populations in the rural and urban regions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides comprehensive oral health data for target age groups and aids in improved planning and management of public oral health services in a state in Central India.