Oral health-related attitude and practices of transgender population in Puducherry UT, India---A cross-sectional questionnaire survey

BACKGROUND: Oral health is apparently compromised among the transgenders and not enough data is available on the same, without which appropriate measures cannot be drafted and implemented. OBJECTIVE: To determine oral health practices among transgender population of Puducherry UT, India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A close-ended questionnaire was used to elicit responses on attitude and practices related to oral health. Self-identified transgenders were included in this study following a snowball sampling technique. Data on educational level, brushing habits, deleterious habits (tobacco and alcohol), visits to any dentist and sugar consumption was recorded. Data was analyzed for descriptive statistics. RESULTS: More than 72% had education above high school, 86.1% used tooth brush to clean their teeth, 47% had never been to a dentist, more than 50% did not receive any oral care, 61% used associated products of tobacco, majority had a high sugar exposure and more than 55% consumed alcohol every day in varying quantities. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study suggests that efforts need to be increased to create awareness on oral hygiene among this socially stigmatized community to have a positive dental health attitude and behaviour.