Table 1.
Questionnaire used to assess the knowledge regarding oral hygiene practice among blind and deaf subjects.
| S. No. | Questions | Multiple choice options | Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | How many times should you brush your teeth in a day? | a. Do not brush the teeth | |
| b. One time per day | |||
| c. Two times per day | |||
| d. Once or two times a week | |||
| 2. | What type of bristles in the toothbrush should you use? | a. Toothbrush with any type of tooth bristles (I never noticed) | |
| b. Toothbrush with soft bristles | |||
| c. Toothbrush with medium-hard bristles | |||
| d. Toothbrush with hard bristles | |||
| 3. | What type of toothpaste should you use to prevent tooth decay? | a. Fluoride tooth paste | |
| b. Desensitizing toothpaste | |||
| c. Anti-plaque toothpaste | |||
| d. Any type of toothpaste | |||
| 4. | What direction should you use the toothbrush while brushing your teeth with a toothbrush? | a. Keep the toothbrush bristles parallel to the tooth surfaces | |
| b. Keep the toothbrush bristles perpendicular to the tooth surfaces | |||
| c. Keep the toothbrush bristles at 45 degrees to the tooth surface | |||
| d. Brush teeth in all possible directions | |||
| 5. | How often do should you replace your toothbrush? | a. After 3 month | |
| b. After 6 months | |||
| c. After 1 year | |||
| d. I don't know | |||
| 6. | How many times should you use interdental brush? | a. Once per day | |
| b. Two times per day | |||
| c. Once per week | |||
| d. I don't know (I have not heard about this type of toothbrush) | |||
| 7. | How many times should you floss your teeth with dental floss? | a. Once per day | |
| b. Two times per day | |||
| c. Once per week | |||
| d. Once per month | |||
| 8. | What type of mouthwash should you use to reduce the bacteria and gingivitis? | a. Cosmetic mouthwash | |
| b. Fluoride mouthwash | |||
| c. Therapeutic mouthwash | |||
| d. Any type of mouthwash | |||
| 9. | How often should you visit your dentist for a regular general dental check-up and oral prophylaxis? | a. Once in 3 months | |
| b. Once in 6 months | |||
| c. Once in a year | |||
| d. Don't visit any dentist unless you have any dental problem | |||
| 10. | What type of diet will keep your gums and teeth healthy? | a. Sugary foods with every meal such as cake, pastry, and ice creams | |
| b. Soft drinks with every meal such as Coca-Cola or Pepsi | |||
| c. Fruit juices after every meal | |||
| d. Fibrous fruits after every meal such as apples, carrots, and salad | |||
| 11. | What is the reason for teeth sensitivity after a routine scaling procedure is conducted by a dentist? | a. Dentist removes the part of the tooth during the scaling procedure | |
| b. Dentist removes the gum from the tooth surface during the scaling procedure | |||
| c. The tooth becomes weak and breaks by itself after the scaling procedure | |||
| d. Unwanted deposits are removed from root surfaces, temporarily leaving teeth sensitive to temperature changes | |||
| 12. | After using a mouthwash, how much time should you wait before drinking water or eating food? | a. 5 min | |
| b. Half an hour | |||
| c. 2 h | |||
| d. I don't know | |||
| 13. | While using a mouthwash, how long should you swish the mouthwash around your teeth? | a. Take it inside the mouth and spit immediately to avoid swallowing | |
| b. 30–60 s | |||
| c. 5 min | |||
| d. I don't know | |||
| 14. | What type of toothbrush will most frequently damage the gums and cause gum diseases? | a. Toothbrush with soft bristles | |
| b. Toothbrush with medium bristles | |||
| c. Toothbrush with hard bristles | |||
| d. Electronic toothbrush |