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. 2024 Jul-Aug;80(4):475-481.
doi: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2024.05.011. Epub 2024 Jun 21.

Oral health practices related risk factors and prevalence of dental caries in Armed Forces: A multicentric study

Varun Govindraj  1 , Thiruvallavan Nagarajan  2 , Reenesh Mechery  3 , Chethan Patil  4 , Srinivas Sri  5 , Vidyadharan  6 , Swaminathan  7
Affiliations

Oral health practices related risk factors and prevalence of dental caries in Armed Forces: A multicentric study

Varun Govindraj et al. Med J Armed Forces India. 2024 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease known to be associated with the individual's lifestyle and attitude to health. Prevalence of dental caries in military personnel is higher due to their rugged profession, where soldiers endure the toughest of hostilities. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries in Indian Armed Forces and its association with oral health related behaviours, i.e., tooth brushing, flossing, smoking, use of fluoride toothpaste, and pattern of dental attendance.

Methods: Total of 22690 individuals with a mean age of of 35 ± 8 were examined. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data on oral hygiene habits, following which oral inspection of the individuals was done. Once the data was compiled, the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index was used to determine caries experience and to compare with oral health behaviours.

Results: Armed Forces of India has a pan India presence, and as a result, study pertaining to soldiers becomes cumbersome. The study was conducted to assess the changing patterns of oral diseases, create oral awareness, and to initiate oral health bank data of soldiers. The prevalence of dental caries 58.4% and DMFT rate 4.67+/-1.94 of Indian soldiers remains lower than those of the rest of the Armed Forces of the world.

Conclusion: Prevalence of caries in Indian soldiers is lower than that of the rest of the Armies. The study depicts caries experience was lesser in soldiers practising positive oral health behaviours and a strong association between the rate of caries experience and oral health-related behaviours.

Keywords: Caries prevalence; Oral health behaviours; Oral hygiene.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Age distribution of subjects studied in the study group.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Distribution of DMFT index in the study group.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Oral health behaviour in the study group.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Relationship between oral health behaviour and caries experience in the study group.
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