Assessment of oral health status among Bhoi community of Nimapara block in Puri district, Odisha: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of the adult population of the Bhoi community of Nimapara block in Puri district of Odisha.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 433 adults Bhois using a multistage randomized sampling method in Nimapara Block of Dhanua Gram Panchayat, Puri District. Data were collected using the modified WHO Oral Health Assessment Form, 2013. Number and percentages were derived using MS Excel and SPSS package version 26.0. Comparison between discrete and continuous data was done using the Chi-square test and ANOVA. The P value of 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: The mean Decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) for all study participants was 3.94 ± 3.106. The average DMFT scores for males and females were 3.89 ± 2.938 and 4.0 ± 3.30 respectively. The average shallow and deep pocket presences were 1.20 ± 0.680 and 1.90 ± 0.310, respectively. The mean calculus was 2.13 ± 0.476. The highest loss of attachment of 6 to 8 mm was seen in 92 (21.2%) subjects.

Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries and periodontal diseases was high. As there is a lack of knowledge about oral hygiene maintenance, proper health education should be administered.