Oral Hygiene Behavior in Iran: National NCD Risk Factor Surveillance

Methods: A representative sample of 12,075 non-institutionalized Iranian individuals aged 6-70 years was extracted though a Multi-Stage Cluster Random Sampling scheme. Households' addresses were obtained from the national zip code databank. The kish randomization method was used to select participants within the households. After receiving an informed consent, individuals were interviewed at their homes by trained health workers from 51 Medical Science Universities across the country. Brushing and flossing habits were inquired from participants using a standard WHO questionnaire designed for NCD Risk Factors. Complex Sample Survey Analysis was utilized to estimate prevalence and related 95%CI. Odds Ratio as a measure of association was computed using weighted Binary Logistic Regression Model.

Results: Generally, the results reflected that brushing and flossing status in Iran was better in females compared to males (Brush; Male: 13.9%, Female: 26.5%), (Floss; Male: 13.8%, Female: 19.8%). Moreover, urban dwellers care more about their oral hygiene than people who lived in rural areas (Urb: 22.3%, Rur: 15.1%). Both the level of education and socioeconomic status were positively associated with oral hygiene conditions in Iran.

Conclusions: Given that brushing and flossing are the two most important oral health promotion activities, it seems there is a lot of room for improvement in Iran. Special attention must be paid to oral health education, oral hygiene instruction, education level as well as any other mechanism that could especially target the low SES individuals.