title: Self-perceived need for dental care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the self-perceived need for dental care among medical professionals and general public.
  
  
  METHODS
  (1) To determine the perceived oral health status. (2) To evaluate the results in understanding the perception of oral health. (3) To determine the patients attitude toward dentist.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out on 537 patients who came for their regular checkup and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The statistical analysis of this study was based on Chi-square test evaluation. The study was performed among in 537 participants. The participants included from age group of both <30 and >30. The study was made in the form of questionnaires enquiring how they would perceive their personal dental care and their attitude towards dentist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-perceived questionnaires in evaluating general public in age group of <30 and >30 shows, that people in age group more than 30 has good oral hygiene maintenance, whereas attitude toward dentist and attending dental problems were more among group less than 30 of age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  I conclude that there must be more awareness created by public health dentist among people about various dental problems, their complications and the treatment needs. Hence, that people be aware of their dental problem at the small stage and get cured. By conducting varies Public Health Programs and camp they became very free to contact their dentist for their varies dental problems and people attitude about dentist and toward dentist completely changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Ramyaa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dhanasekaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Sanjna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nayar
keywords: Dental care; oral hygiene; self perceived