Abstract

Background: Oral health conditions are major public health concern affecting individual’s quality of life. This study was conducted to assess type of oral and dental morbidities in patients visiting a general outpatient department (GOPD) of a tertiary care hospital and study factors associated with these morbidities.
Methods: Cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted among 400 adult patients with oral morbidities or dental morbidities, aged 18-49 years, attending a GOPD in a metropolitan city from September 2017 to September 2019.Simple random sampling was done.
Results: Majority of the participants belonged to 36-49 years of age and were males. Lesions of oral cavity were seen in 10.3% and dental morbidities were present in 92% study participants. Male sex, residence in urban area and addiction history were significantly associated with presence of oral morbidities. Perceived state of teeth and gums, frequency of cleaning teeth, cigarette smoking in the last six months were significantly associated with oral morbidities (p<0.05).
Conclusion: There is need for continued awareness regarding prevention of caries and periodontal disease with emphasis on diet and dental floss.