Year : 2018

Volume : Volume 9

Issue : Issue 3

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Brij Kumar.
brij220787@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Parent’s guidance is important in overall development of a child including their oral health, but there are some children who are deprived of their parents. These children are deprived of the care and guidance associated with parents as well. These orphans also show variation in their knowledge, attitude and practices of oral health than a child with parents.   Aim: To compare and evaluate the difference in oral health status, knowledge, attitude & practices between orphans and non- orphans children.  Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried on 100 orphans and 100 non-orphans children, using a pretested questionnaire including 16 closed ended multiple choice questions about their oral health attitude, knowledge & practices and DMFT score was recorded.  Result: 70% of non-orphan considered it necessary to maintain oral hygiene while only 48% of orphans thought the same.70% non-orphans knew tobacco causes oral cancer while only 42% of orphans had knowledge about it. Mean DMFT in non-orphans was 1.194 ± 2.30 & in orphan it was 2.20 ± 1.27.  Conclusion: Oral hygiene status, knowledge, attitude & practice were not satisfactory in orphans as compared to non-orphans children.

Keywords: Oral Hygiene Status, Orphans, Non-Orphans, Knowledge, Practice.