title: Evaluating awareness regarding oral hygiene practices and exploring gender differences among patients attending for oral prophylaxis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral hygiene is intimated in health of all parts of the body including oral cavity. The understanding of actual practices in keeping the oral heath at standard based on patient's perceptions of oral health care is vital. Understanding the effect of gender on oral health would facilitate the development of successful attitude and behavior modification approach towards sustainable oral health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate awareness regarding oral hygiene practices and exploring gender differences among patients attending for oral prophylaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was conducted among 250 patients attending the department of periodontology, Maulana Azad institute of dental sciences for oral prophylaxis. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding practices and perception about oral hygiene.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority of the patients (60.4%) felt that oral hygiene is mandatory for overall health of the body. The use of toothpaste and toothbrush (83.6%) was the most preferred cleaning aid among the study population in the present study. The major constraint for avoiding dental examination was no felt need (41.2%) followed by cost of dental treatment (26.8%) and time constraints (24.0%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Professional plaque removal and regular follow-up combined with oral hygiene instructions to the patients can minimize the level of gingival inflammation and swelling. The poor resources for dental care, common malpractices and nonavailability of professional care are the main barriers in seeking optimum oral hygiene.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Pt. B. D. Sharma Rohtak University, Kherimor, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Sukhvinder Singh
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Oberoi
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry,Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Vikrant
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry,Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ananya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Oberoi Dental Clinic and Orthodontic Centre, Tagore Garden, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Avneet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oberoi
keywords: Dental care; oral health; oral hygiene; professional plaque removal