Oral Hygiene Status of Chewing Stick Users in a Rural Kenyan Community

Abstract

Objective: We evaluated oral hygiene status in chewing-stick users compared with tooth-brush users, using multiple logistic regression analyses. Methods: An oral health examination was conducted in November 2011 in Mbita district, Kenya. In total 124, 97 adults underwent an oral health examination and participated in a questionnaire survey. Kenyan dentists examined dental caries and evaluated periodontal status and the presence of dental plaque. Tooth-brushing tools that participants used on a daily basis were categorized as a “tooth brush” or a “chewing stick.” Results: The frequency of tooth brushing was significantly higher among the tooth brush users than the chewing stick users. The adjusted odds ratio of those who had heavy dental plaque was 3.53 (95% CI: 1.1-10.89.9) in chewing stick users compared with tooth brush users. Conclusions: Chewing stick users had a poor oral hygiene status rather than tooth brushing users. To improve oral hygiene status in chewing stick users, appropriate oral health education for rural Kenyan communities should be developed.