title: Oral hygiene awareness and practice amongst patients visiting the Department of Periodontology at a Dental College and Hospital in North India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was carried out to assess the oral hygiene awareness and practices amongst patients visiting the Department of Periodontology at Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Ramnagar (Patiala).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out amongst the patients visiting the Department of Periodontology of Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Ramnagar, Patiala. This proposed study was reviewed by the Institutional ethical committee and their clearance was obtained. A total of 1000 patients were selected using a convenient sampling technique and a self-constructed questionnaire was presented to them. Responses from the patients were evaluated in terms of numbers and percentages and statistically also they were highly significant (P < 0.005).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the study show an acute lack of oral hygiene awareness and limited knowledge of oral hygiene practices as well as effect of poor oral hygiene on systemic health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is an urgent need for comprehensive educational programs to promote good oral hygiene and impart education about correct oral hygiene practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Ramnagar, Patiala, India.
authors.forename: Daljit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Ramnagar, Patiala, India.
authors.forename: Sanjeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Ramnagar, Patiala, India.
authors.forename: Arshdeep
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Adesh Institute of Dental Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Inderpreet
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Ramnagar, Patiala, India.
authors.forename: Pooja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kapoor
keywords: Awareness; knowledge; oral hygiene; practice; systemic health