Assessment of Paramount Source of Oral Health Information among Outpatients Attending Dental College in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India: A Cross-sectional Survey

Ab s t r Ac t Introduction: Health communication is a process necessary to inform individuals pave way toward desired changes in human health behavior and contribute community participation to achieve predetermined health goals. Hence, the present study aims to assess the paramount source of oral health information among outpatients attending one of the dental colleges in Bengaluru city. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,800 outpatients attending Vydehi Dental College, Bengaluru, during a period of 1 month (November 1–31, 2011). A self-structured close-ended questionnaire was used to collect data about demographic details and their source of information regarding oral health. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test using SPSS version 21. Results: Among the total study population, highest percentages (28.0%) of them were between the age group of 26–35 years, 56% of them were male, 32.0% of them were graduates, and 25.5% of them were clerical. In the present study, the major source of oral health information was parents (21.1%), followed by friends (20.1%), television (19.5%), and grandparents (16.6%). Study shows highly significant association (p value = 0.001) for all questions with respect to gender, age, occupation, and education. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the parents, peers, and media are the paramount source for the oral health information among the study population. Hence, there is a need to target these groups to reinforce the oral health education.