Periodontal status and oral health-related quality of life among rural population in Patna, India.

Periodontal disease is highly prevalent in rural India, yet data linking clinical periodontal status with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in these communities remain scarce. Hence, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 rural adults in Patna using the WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (2013), modified CPI and OHIP-14 questionnaire from September 2020 to February 2021. Gingival bleeding was found in 48.73%, periodontal pockets (4-5 mm) in 60.36% and loss of attachment predominantly in the 0-3 mm range, with higher severity in females and older age groups. Higher OHIP-14 scores were significantly associated with gingival bleeding, periodontal pockets and loss of attachment (P < 0.001), confirming that worsening periodontal status adversely affects OHRQoL. This study provides novel region-specific evidence from rural Bihar by integrating clinical periodontal indicators with subjective OHIP-14 outcomes, supporting targeted oral health promotion and integration of dental care into primary healthcare for underserved populations.