Oral hygiene status and practices among health-care workers: A cross-sectional study

Aims and Objectives: Health-care professionals have an important role in health education for their patients, families, and friends also at the community levels. However, understanding their own behavior toward their oral health is more important for the oral health educators who are also health-care professionals. Assessment and practice of oral hygiene status among health-care professionals working in King Khalid Hospital, Al-Kharj, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the aim of the study. Materials and Methods: A study was carried out with the aid of specially designed questionnaire consisting of details regarding demographic variables and oral hygiene practice among the health-care workers (HCWs). Convenience samples were selected and preformed questionnaire was given and oral examination was conducted on 267 male HCWs and 164 female HCWs. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20, to perform chi-square test and analysis of variance. Results: Among 431 HCWs, 267 males and 164 females participated. A total of 302 people told they brush once daily and it was significant among age group. Mean calculus (0.82) was more among the participants aged 50 years. Mean oral hygiene index-simplified (2.23) was more among those aged 50 years. Mean debris (1.40) was more among 50 years and was statistically significant. Conclusion: HCWs showed that their oral hygiene status was fair. Awareness programs must be conducted frequently to boost up the oral self-hygiene practices among them for many good reasons.