Evaluation of tooth brushing technique and oral hygiene knowledge at Afid, Rawalpindi

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evaluate tooth-brushing technique and oral hygiene knowledge in Rawalpindi population. This study was a single centre, descriptive study which was carried out at the Department of Operative Dentistry, AFID, Rawalpindi from January 2010 to January 2011. 500 individuals fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. They were asked about their tooth brushing technique and oral hygiene knowledge using a questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] version 15. Out of 500 adult participants, 140 [28%] were females and 360 [72%] males. 425 [85%] brushed their teeth regularly, 87% twice a day, 10% once a day and only 3% thrice a day. The study subjects demonstrated the brushing technique in front of the researcher. The result showed that only 4% knew proper technique. Only 7% used the brush for 2 minutes, 67% for one minute and 36% for less than one minute. 45% used fluoride tooth pastes and 24% which did not contain fluoride. 31% did not know about fluoride. The overall awareness about oral hygiene knowledge was not satisfactory