Oral Health Practices and Dental Caries Experience among Transgender Adults in District Kohat, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65761/pjcr.2026.284Keywords:
Transgender health, oral health practices, DMFT index, dental caries, stigma, Pakistan, oral health disparities.Abstract
Objective: To examine the level of oral hygiene practice among transgender and to evaluate Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) status of the population of District Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan.
Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in October 2025 to January 2026 in District Kohat in shelter houses. A convenience sampling of 152 transgender adults (age ≥18) was self-selected. The data were obtained from a structured questionnaire, adapted from WHO Oral Health Questionnaire and Global Adult Tobacco Survey. The WHO DMFT index was used to assess the dental caries status. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25, Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) was used in summarization of data.
Results: The mean age was 28.6 years; majority (77.7%) were aged 18–33 years. Almost half (48.0%) did not have any educational qualification and 81.6% were unemployed or involved in begging. Oral hygiene practices were suboptimal, with 56.6% brushing their teeth once a day, 55.9% brushing for ≤2 minutes and 19.1% changing their toothbrush every three months. Only preventive visits were infrequent (9.2%), 69.1% of patients were only seen when they were in pain. Stigma (56.6%) was the most reported barrier to care. Tobacco use (88.2%), use of betel nut, gutka/pan (75.0%) and consumption of sugary snack/soft drink (77.0%) were the common hazardous practices. Mean DMFT components were: Decayed=2.46±1.21, Missing=2.16±1.16, Filled=2.30±1.23. The most common symptoms were tooth sensitivity (36.2%) and gum bleeding (27.0%).
Conclusion: Transgender people in District Kohat experience substantial oral health challenges, driven by poor hygiene, high-risk factors, and stigma, emphasizing the need for accessible, culturally competent, stigma-free preventive dental services.
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