title: Oral health status and awareness among tuberculosis patients in an Indian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge and awareness regarding oral health problems of tuberculosis patients are lacking among patients, physicians, as well as dental practitioners.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the oral health status and awareness among the tuberculosis patients in an Indian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study sample comprised of 210 tuberculosis patients and 210 nontuberculosis subjects. The tuberculosis patients were categorized into new patients (group A), previously treated (group B), and drug-resistant tuberculosis patients (group C). History of present problem and awareness about oral health was noted. Periodontal health status was ascertained using Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Other oral findings were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results were analyzed statistically. 62.9% of total tuberculosis patients had one or more oral problems. Most common problem was tooth pain (34%). CPI score was significantly higher (p<0.05) for tuberculosis patients (2.94) than in control group (1.34). Mean CPI score for groups A, B, and C patients was 2.83, 2.91, and 3.09, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests awareness of oral health status and oral manifestations of tuberculosis among physicians and dental professionals.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Government College of Dentistry, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Payal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Government College of Dentistry, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Electronic address: payal.endo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Saurabh Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Director, Manorama Raje TB Hospital, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Atul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kharate
authors.affiliation: Senior Scientist, Indian Agricultural Research Institute - Regional Station, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: S V S
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Intern, Government College of Dentistry, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maurya
authors.affiliation: Resident, Hindu Rao Hospital, Malkaganj, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Parul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.affiliation: Resident, Hindu Rao Hospital, Malkaganj, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shivam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamthan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010512:Periodontal Index; D014393:Tuberculosis, Oral / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CPI score; Gum bleeding; Periodontal health; Tooth pain