Abstract

Abstract:

Oral  diseases  are  a  major  public  health  concern,  owing  to  their  high   prevalence  and  their  relationship  with  systemic  health. Oral  health  maintenance  can   only  be  accomplished  with  proper  tooth  brushing  &  tongue  cleaning. Toothbrushes  are  kept  in  places  which  is  a  hub  of  contaminants. They  should   be  correctly  stored, disinfected  and  changed  at  regular  intervals.

Aims: Our  study  focuses  on  awareness  of  disinfection  of  toothbrushes  among general  population  and  invention  of  a  newer  device  that  not  only  keeps  the  toothbrush  moisture  free  but  also  germ  free:  Oral  Hygiene  Aid  Sterilizer  (OHA-S).

Methods and Material: A  cross  sectional  questionnaire  based  study  of  sample  size  100  was  conducted  in  which  samples  were  randomly  selected  and  distributed  with  a  questionnaire  form. All  the  study  participants  were  asked  to  brush  their  teeth with  the  tooth  brush  provided. After  brushing,  the  contaminated  bristles  were  disinfected  in  the  newer  device: OHA-S  and  were  observed  under  phase  contrast  microscope.

Statistical analysis used: Randomized  control  trial

Results: Survey  results  showed  that  61%  of  general  population  was  unaware  of  sanitization  of  toothbrushes.  The  remaining  being  aware,  almost  72%  did  not  perform  sanitization  on  daily  basis.  Also,  there  was  a  significant  decrease  in  microbial  flora  of  the  bristles  which  were  sanitized  using  OHA-S  when  observed  under  the  phase  contrast  microscope

Conclusions: As  majority  of  population  failed  at  sanitizing  oral  hygiene  aids  daily, OHA-S  was  effective  in  not  only  making  the  oral  hygiene  aids  moisture  free  but  also  in  reducing  the  amount  of  microbial  load  which  is  the  main  causative factor  for  periodontal  diseases .

 

Keywords

  • Bacteriology
  • Critical thinking skill
  • Ethnically
  • Practicum guide project-based

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