Dental problems in India due to low awareness & poor hygiene habits: Survey

EHM News Bureau - Mumbai

A new national consumer usage and attitudes survey conducted across 233 cities by Synovate India revealed that dental problems in India are due to the low awareness levels and poor oral hygiene habits in people. The Survey showed that people do not associate dental health with adequate oral care but associate dental problems with lifestyle related reasons like ‘improper eating habits’ and ‘being born with bad teeth’, a perception prominent in rural areas.

The Survey also tracked usage patterns which revealed that almost 30 per cent did not use any modern oral care products, the number being higher in rural areas. In the urban areas, seven per cent did not use any of the modern oral care products. In the rural areas, the percentage is as high as 37 per cent, where people still use non-dentifrice products such as Neemstick (Datun), charcoal and ash.

Of the sample population, 60 per cent of had never visited a dentist and only two per cent visit a dentist regularly. Over 50 per cent were unconcerned about preventing or curing dental problems. The Survey also revealed that 24 per cent of consumers suffered from toothache in the past one year and 96 per cent were aware of the problem, but only as few as 35 per cent had taken treatment from a dentist.

“The mouth is a mirror that can reflect the health of the rest of your body. Numerous recent studies investigating the mouth-body connection have suggested an association between oral health and general health. For instance, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that chronic gum disease may contribute to the development of heart disease,” said Dr Ashok Dhoble, Secretary General, Indian Dental Association, Head Office.

The survey was sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited.