An Operational Study to Assess and Maintain the Oral Hygiene of Toddlers and Preschoolers in a Resettled Colony of Dadu Majra Colony UT, Chandigarh, 2011-12

Abstract

Oral hygiene is known as the process of maintaining the mouth, teeth, and gums clean and healthy all at the same time to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Knowledge imparted at a right age on a regular basis in incredible manner can go a long way in encouraging children to maintain good oral hygiene. The current study was undertaken with the objective to develop skills in maintaining the oral hygiene among the toddlers, preschoolers and their parents in a resettled colony of Dadu Majra Colony UT, Chandigarh. An operational study was carried out in a resettled colony of Dadu Majra Colony UT, Chandigarh. Systematic random sampling was done to enroll the children aged 12–72 months in every 7^th house. The subjects were interviewed to assess the oral hygiene practices and assessment of the oral hygiene was done with the help of checklist. On the same day brushing technique was demonstrated and health education on oral hygiene was given. Then the children were supervised daily for the first week, alternate days for the next week and twice the week for the last week and the subjects were left without supervision and later they were supervised after an interval of 1 month to assess the sustainability in the practices of subjects in the absence of continuous follow up. The subjects were in the range of 13–72 months with the mean age 39.87±17.58 months. The per capita income of the family was in the range of Rs. 100/ to Rs. 6666/- with the mean per capita income Rs. 1405.64±1095/-. In the pre intervention phase it was seen that 34.6% subjects were not maintaining their oral hygiene and only 5.8% subjects were brushing their teeth twice a day and after 3 weeks of intervention all of the subjects started maintaining their oral hygiene. The difference in the mean scores of brushing technique procedure of 1^st, 6^th and 12^th follow up is found to be statistically significant with p(<.01). The difference in the mean scores of brushing technique procedure of 1^st, 6^th and 12^th follow up is found to be statistically significant with p(<.01). The oral hygiene practices and technique of brushing of was improved with regular teaching and motivation in toddlers and preschool.

Keywords: toddler, oral hygiene, preschooler