Fake news, Myths and Remedies regarding Oral Health

Care in patients coming to a private teaching dental

hospital.

1. Dr. Zahid Hashim

House Officer, Sardar Begum Dental College and Hospital, Gandhara University
Peshawar, Pakistan.
Email Address: zahidhashim23@gmail.com Cell #: +923339814149

2. Dr. Syed Imran Gillani

Assist. Professor, Department of Preventive & community Dentistry, Sardar Begum
Dental, College & Hospital, Gandhara University Peshawar.
Email Address: imrangilani@hotmail.com, Cell #: +923213784528

3. Dr. Muhammad Asif

House Officer, Sardar Begum Dental College & Hospital, Gandhara University
Peshawar, Pakistan.
Email Address: asifkahn2000@gmail.com , Cell #: +923029110968

4. Dr. Muhammad Kabir

House Officer, Sardar Begum Dental College & Hospital, Gandhara University
Peshawar, Pakistan.

5. Dr. Yasir Israr

BDS, Sardar Begum Dental College & Hospital, Gandhara University Peshawar, Pakistan
Fake news, Myths and Remedies regarding Oral Health
Care in patients coming to a private teaching dental
hospital.

Abstract
Introduction and Objective
The study aimed at determining wrong beliefs, myths, erroneous home remedies and fake news
rampant among the patients visiting a private teaching dental hospital.
Materials and Methods
The study was analytical cross-sectional carried out at SBDC Peshawar, Pakistan. Sample
comprised of patients coming to the hospital during the months of Sept-Oct 2019. The
questionnaire included questions about wrong beliefs, erroneous home remedies and fake news
common among the masses and demographic variables like name, age, education and gender.
Data was analyzed using SPSS 16. Basic demographs like age and gender were analyzed using
analytical and descriptive analysis respectively.
Results
The total sample comprised of 250 adults with 66.8% males and 33.2% females. Mean age was
found to be 29.87 with a SD of 11.36. Some of the most common beliefs found were that whiter
teeth were sign of healthy teeth (77.3%) and intake of antibiotics is mandatory after extraction
and RCT (66.8%). Almost half believed that scaling can weaken teeth (44%) and amalgam can
cause cancer (40.8%).40.8% of the population doesn’t regard regular dental checkups important.
A large number of female population (51.8%) believes in false remedies like treating a painful
tooth with clove oil and salt water rinses. The P value for most of answers in terms of gender and
age was found not significant.
Conclusion
The study concluded spread of vast misconception in public about oral health care and what
constitutes a healthy dentition as well as the proper management of oral health diseases.