IADR Abstract Archives
Depression, Oral Health Status and Behaviours among Indian Software Professionals
Objectives: To determine association between levels of depression, oral health status and oral health behaviours among software professionals in India.
Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted after selecting the software companies using simple random sampling. Levels of depression were measured using Beck’s depression inventory and oral health behaviours were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire followed by dental examination for a sample size of 964. Descriptive data in terms of frequency and percentage were analysed using SPSS software (version 17.0). Chi- square test, univariate regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation were carried out.
Results: 3.7% of the population had suffered from extreme mental depression and women had high rates of depressive symptoms when compared to men. Aphthous ulcer was a common finding among the screened population (7.3%). A positive correlation was found between levels of depression and periodontal disease status (0.74), subjective TMJ problem (0.13).
Conclusions: Depression is like the tip of iceberg. Based on findings of this study, it can be concluded that depression is strongly and independently associated with poorer oral health status and oral health behaviours. It is the prime duty of the organizations to provide routine screening for depression and counselling sessions for their employees.
It creates an alarming need to focus that depression should be considered as a possible underlying factor when treating patients for dental problems.
Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted after selecting the software companies using simple random sampling. Levels of depression were measured using Beck’s depression inventory and oral health behaviours were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire followed by dental examination for a sample size of 964. Descriptive data in terms of frequency and percentage were analysed using SPSS software (version 17.0). Chi- square test, univariate regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation were carried out.
Results: 3.7% of the population had suffered from extreme mental depression and women had high rates of depressive symptoms when compared to men. Aphthous ulcer was a common finding among the screened population (7.3%). A positive correlation was found between levels of depression and periodontal disease status (0.74), subjective TMJ problem (0.13).
Conclusions: Depression is like the tip of iceberg. Based on findings of this study, it can be concluded that depression is strongly and independently associated with poorer oral health status and oral health behaviours. It is the prime duty of the organizations to provide routine screening for depression and counselling sessions for their employees.
It creates an alarming need to focus that depression should be considered as a possible underlying factor when treating patients for dental problems.