Oral Hygiene Status, Periodontal Status and treatment Needs among Psychiatric Outpatients in Chennai, India

Aim: To assess the oral hygiene status,periodontal status and treatment needs among psychiatric outpatients in Chennai.

Materials and Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on patients receiving care at the Outpatient Wing of The Department of Psychiatry, Stanley Medical College and Hospital, Chennai. A cluster sampling technique was employed. The study sample consisted of 159 males and 145 females.

Oral Hygiene Index Simplified and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs index were recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS (Version 15) software. Chi-square test, Trend Chi-square test and Multiple linear regression analysis were employed.

Results: Among the male subjects; 6 (3.7%), 75(47.2%) and 75(47.2%) had good, fair and poor oral hygiene, respectively. Among the female subjects; 9(6.2%), 87(60%) and 49(33.8%) had good, fair and poor oral hygiene, respectively. 6 (2%) subjects had healthy periodontium, 3(1%) had bleeding on probing, 146(48.5%) had calculus, 115(38.2%) had shallow pocket and 34(11.2%) had deep pocket. Prevalence of periodontal disease among the study subjects was 98%.6(2%) did not require treatment, 298 (98%) needed oral hygiene instruction, 295(97%) needed scaling and oral hygiene instruction, 149(49%) needed complex periodontal therapy along with scaling and oral hygiene instruction.

Conclusion: The oral hygiene status and periodontal status of psychiatric outpatients is very poor and treatment needs are very high.