Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Partial Edentulism Among House Maids

Objectives: Partial edentulousness is a dental arch in which one or more, but not all the natural teeth are missing. Generally, it occurs due to caries, periodontal problems, traumatic injuries and cystic lesions. Partial edentulism leads to several drawbacks to the subjects including clinical challenges and lifestyle compromises. Clinically, partial edentulism results in drifting and tilting of adjacent teeth, supra eruption of opposing teeth, altered speech, changes in facial appearance and temporomandibular disorders. The aim of the current study was to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding partial edentulous status among house maids in our regional population. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among housemaids in Chennai. A total of 50 housemaids between the age group of 35-60 participated in the study. All the participants were checked for their caries status. The questionnaire was given to the participants which was filled and returned. Results: In the present study, 30 of them had missing teeth. Among them, only 8 participants were concerned about replacing the missing tooth. 24 of the participants replied that price influenced them in their decision making. Conclusion: According to our study it can be concluded thatthe knowledge and awareness regarding partialedentulism among the house maids was inadequate. In addition to this, the attitude and awareness towards dental care, and the cost of dental treatment might also be the significant factor that determines the prosthetic status of a person.