60% Indians have never visited a dentist

A national consumer usage and attitudes survey conducted across 233 Indian cities has revealed that dental problems in India are reflected in the low awareness levels and poor oral hygiene habits.

The survey, conducted by Synovate India and sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive, showed that people do not associate dental health with adequate oral care.

Most associate dental problems with lifestyle related reasons like 'improper eating habits' and 'being born with bad teeth', a perception prominent in rural areas.

According to the survey, as much as 60% of people in India have never visited a dentist and only 2% actually visit a dentist regularly.

And when it comes to dental problems, over 50% are unconcerned about preventing or curing dental problems:

74% are aware of the prevalence of cavities, but 63% are unconcerned

76% are aware of the prevalence of stained teeth, but 66% are unconcerned

78% are aware of the prevalence of gum bleeding, but 63% are unconcerned

74% are aware of the prevalence of swollen gums, but 66% are unconcerned

The survey also revealed 24 per cent of consumers suffered from toothache in the past one year and 96 per cent were aware of the problem, but only as few as 35% have taken treatment from a dentist.

In addition to attitudes, the survey also tracked usage patterns and almost 30% were found not using any modern oral care products, the number being higher in rural areas. In the urban areas 7 per cent do not use any modern oral care products, whereas in the rural areas the percentage is as high as 37 per cent, where people still use non-dentifrice products such as charcoal and ash.

As far as brushing habits go, over 50% of rural India does not use a toothbrush to clean teeth while over 75% of toothpaste users brush once or less than once a day.

These usage and attitudes are reflected in the overall status of dental health in India.

(The survey covered both urban cities and rural towns/cities. The target group was males/females 18-54 years. Sample size was 8,200.)