Appraisal of Oral Hygiene Status amongst Subjects with Suicidal Leanings-A Pilot Study
ZC01-ZC04
Correspondence
Dr. Parvathee Jayakumar,
25 A VP Street, Kanchi Puram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: poovithaakmr@gmail.com
Introduction: Suicide is an alarming social problem affecting the society at large causing a high mortality rate especially in the younger generation. Suicide is one of the top three causes of death among youth worldwide.
Aim: The aim of the study was to draw a correlation between an alteration in one’s oral hygiene regimen and an innate suicidal tendency in an individual.
Materials and Methods: This double blind cross-sectional study was conducted in a suicide prevention centre, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) at Chennai. A total of 78 subjects (age 22-50 years) participated in the study. They were divided into two groups-Group A and Group B. Participants in Group A had attempted suicide at least once in the past one year. Participants in Group B had only threatened to commit suicide. Both Group A and B participants were attending counseling sessions at the centre. In addition to this, the Group A participants were also undergoing psychiatric therapy and taking anti-psychotic medications. Oral examination was done using a mouth mirror, probe and explorer. A printed questionnaire was also circulated to collect patient’s information like tooth brushing habits, smoking and their employment status. The statistical analysis was done using chi-square tests.
Results: The participants in Group A had poorer oral hygiene index scores and clinical attachment loss scores than those in Group B. There was also a statistically significant association between the frequency of changing a tooth brush in Group A and Group B. The socioeconomic status of participants in Group A and Group B also showed a statistical significance. Based on the above findings it was found in this pilot study that there was a correlation in oral hygiene status and suicidal tendencies.
Conclusion: The oral hygiene levels in the participants who had attempted suicide were poorer than that of the participants who had not actually attempted suicide.