Abstract

AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH FOR IDEAL DENTITION THROUGH VALIDATED STRUCTURED QUESTIONNAIRE

Dr. Chaitra S.* and Dr. Uma B. Gopal

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Danta/Teeth is considered as the one type of Asthi called Ruchakasthi. There are 32 teeth as per both Ayurveda and modern. There references regarding ideal dentition in Ayurveda. Assessment of health of an individual using the status of Danta Sampat can be done through this validated questionnaire. Further care of oral health and prevention of oral diseases can be done. Methodology: A preliminary list of items related to qualities of Danta Sampat were prepared according to Kashyapa Samhita and was converted into questions. The self-administered questionnaire were distributed to the selected 30 volunteers from Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, for pilot study. Data was converted into scales and tested for their reliability using Cronbach's Coefficient Alpha. Result: Alpha value 0.7 was obtained and 16 questions were reduced to 10. Finally the questionnaire was validated. Conclusion: This validated questionnaire of Danta Sampat can be used for assessing health status of teeth. Further care of oral health can be advised and prevention of oral disease that affects the appearance, quality of life can be done.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Danta Sampat, health, questionnaire.