Abstract
Oral health plays an important role in general health. Developing oral healthcare habits, and integrating preventive approaches into the population is essential in the 21st century. We investigated this in a south-east Hungarian village as part of research by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, with existing ethics approval. Pusztaottlaka was choosen because previous work showed a huge recent increase in economic and social data.
Methods: In July 2015 a questionnaire was voluntarily and anonymously completed by 277 people from the population of Pusztaottlaka, whose mean age was 47 (SD: 24.1). We asked about general oral healthcare, nutrition, habits concerning oral health, frequency of dental check-ups and how people evaluate their oral health. Statistical analysis used SPSS 20.0, examining frequency, means and cross tabs in different sex and age groups. In an oral screening examination 35 people were inspected voluntarily. Data were compared with the European Health Survey.
Results: Only 37.8% (84) of the responders brushed their teeth once a day and 15.3% (34) brushed less than once a day. Only 38.6% (88) of the participants smoked, and 75% (168) visited the dentist less than once in a year. 97 (44.7%) had clear knowledge of their poor dental health. There were large variations in answers by different sex and ages groups. According to the European Health Survey at least one third of the Hungarian population has a decayed tooth. Clinical examinations in the village gave a rate of 65.7% (23). There is poor access to dental care in Pusztaottlaka. The nearest dentist’s office is 10 km away.
Conclusions: Preventive dental activity should increase in the village, and should try to motivate the population to carry out better oral hygiene. Encouraging dental check-ups would allow treatment of early dental problems and encourage improved oral hygiene.
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