Knowledge regarding oral health hazards in tobacco users among dental undergraduates of patna city

Introduction: “Tobacco – weapon of mass destruction”– Kendrick Meek. Tobacco is the world’s biggest preventable killer. Our universe is in a state of tobacco epidemic, with larger population of tobacco users, emerging day by day. India is the world’s third largest tobacco growing country, which produces an average of 58,0000 tones every year. According to WHO, tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world due to carcinomas of lips tongue, cheeks, gums and floor roof of the mouth. Other ill effects include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, pulmonary diseases, and poor reproductive outcomes. In recent years, there has been a rising trend in tobacco use. This is a matter of great public health concern Aim of the study: To assess the level of knowledge regarding oral health hazards of tobacco chewing amongst dental students. Objectives: 1 .To assess the knowledge regarding ill effects of tobacco on oral health amongst dental undergraduates. 2. To assess the various ill effects of tobacco on oral health. Materials and methods: The data is collected from 150 undergraduate students of Buddha Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Patna. Data was collected by a closed ended structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using Graph pad Prism Software, version-5. Chi-square test were used to assess the significance finding at 95% confidence limit. Results: Knowledge regarding ill effects of tobacco chewing was more among Interns and Final year students compared to first, second and third year undergraduates. Conclusion: Health education should be provided to the youths and adolescents with the facts and skills that will enable them to protect themselves from the harmful effects of both active and passive smoking and the tobacco related products. Concurrently other health promotion activities such as legislation, taxation and control of tobacco promotion should be implemented. A more comprehensive preventive approach is therefore needed.