RESEARCH PAPER
Burden of oral disease and oral health–related quality of life among female sex workers in Belagavi district, India
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Department of Public Health Dentistry, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka, India
Submission date: 2026-02-20
Final revision date: 2026-06-10
Acceptance date: 2026-07-18
Online publication date: 2026-08-06
Corresponding author
Laxmi Kabra
Department of Public Health Dentistry, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka, India
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ABSTRACT
Background: Oral health is crucial for overall well-being, yet certain marginalized populations often face significant barriers to accessing adequate oral healthcare. This study aims to assess oral health status, oral health-related quality of life, oral hygiene practices, and tobacco use among sex workers in the Belagavi district of Karnataka. Objective: To assess oral health status, oral hygiene practices, tobacco use, and OHRQoL among female sex workers in Belagavi district, India. Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among female sex workers from May to July 2023 in compliance with STROBE guidelines. Data were collected through clinical examinations using the WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (2013), the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), and a tobacco use assessment questionnaire. The total sample size of 525 was achieved. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's correlation. Results: The study revealed a high prevalence of untreated dental caries (75.1%), missing teeth (38.9%), and a low rate of fillings (2.1%). Significant correlations were found between oral hygiene practices and dental caries. The prevalence of tobacco use among sex workers was low.The results showed a positive perception towards oral health-related quality of life. Conclusions: Conclusions: This study revealed a considerable burden of untreated oral diseases among female sex workers in Belagavi district, despite a relatively minimal perceived impact on oral health-related quality of life.