IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HEALTH AND PRACTICES IN POPULATION OF LAHORE

Background: Oral hygiene is vital for good health .Oral health issues affect the quality of life of the patients. Diseases affecting oral health are considered public health concerns. Methodology: The present study was conducted in University of Lahore dental hospital from the period of August 2017 to November 2017.The patients who were attending the outdoor department were included in the study having different oral health issues. Patients from urban and rural areas were included .Both gender participated in the study. Results: Results of the study showed that the awareness about oral health was not satisfactory. Education and awareness campaigns can help to improve the concern of people about oral health. From the study it was found that 40 % of the participants used brush to clean the teeth. Miswak was used by 20 % of the participants, 10 % use charcoal and 30 % of them don’t clean their teeth at all. Visit to dentist or Dental Hospital is performed because of the unavoidable dental issue. Conclusion: From the study it was concluded that the oral hygiene awareness among the masses is poor and government should educate people through the help of awareness campaigns and through education system that the oral health is vital for good health. The limited dental Hospitals and availability of dentist to people ratio is also very poor. Extensive education plans for oral health should be incorporated at school levels. Access to the public dental health facilities should be improved for better oral health maintenance. Keywords: Oral hygiene, Dental issue, Campaig