| dc.description.abstract | This dissertation presents three separate studies designed to provide empirical and anecdotal information on the topic of oral health among rural populations in middle-income countries of India and Dominican Republic.
First, utilizing the conceptual framework of risk-factor approach model proposed by the World Health Organization, the study assesses oral health knowledge levels, attitude toward professional dental care and dental attendance and discusses self-management approaches in an event of oral condition as well as some of the perceived barriers that prevent rural populations from seeking regular or timely dental care in a rural community of district Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, India. Additionally, the study presents the levels of caries experience in this rural community. Employing a cross-sectional study design, the data collection procedure encompassed face-to-face interviews and intra-oral examinations. The final sample comprised of 202 adult participants. Furthermore, facilitated discussions with 10 women provided some anecdotal information on their knowledge, oral hygiene behaviors and management of oral diseases.
Secondly, a quantitative study examining oral hygiene behaviors, daily habits by various socio-demographic variables is presented and discussed. Several socio-behavioral factors existing in a broader cultural and environmental context affect the prevalence of oral diseases. This study further examined if various modifiable risk factors and demographic variables predicted the levels of caries experienced among rural participants. While several oral hygiene behaviors such as use of toothpaste, toothbrush and frequency of tooth cleaning and daily habits such as use of tobacco differed by age, educational levels and gender; increasing age was found to be the single predictor of overall caries experienced among adult rural population.
Lastly, drawing upon the theoretical framework of the risk-factor approach model proposed by World Health Organization and the empirical findings with respect to modifiable oral hygiene behaviors and daily habits, the differences and similarities in the behaviors and oral health outcomes in two geographically and culturally different nations, India and Dominican Republic will be presented and discussed. This study presents the first step toward addressing the gaps in knowledge with respect to the topic of oral health in lesser known populations of middle income countries. | en |
