255736 Involvement of Ayurvedic Practitioners in Oral Health Care in the United States

Monday, October 29, 2012

Bhupinder Brar, BAMS, MS, CCRC , Department of Epidemiology & Health Promotion, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY
Robert Norman, PhD , Epidemiology & Health Promotion, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY
Ananda Dasanayake, BDS, MPH, PhD , Epidemiology & Health Promotion, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY
Background: Ayurveda, an ancient Medical science originating in India, is also practiced in the U.S. The specific aim of this study was to explore the involvement of Ayurvedic practitioners in treating oral diseases.

Methods: Eighty five practitioners participated in this cross-sectional survey. Self-reported data on demographics of the practitioners, the general and oral health conditions they treat, and the treatment modalities used were obtained. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS. Results: Participants were predominantly female, white or non-Hispanic, and were part-time practitioners. Their educational background ranged from 5.5-year degrees to short-term training. Over forty percent reported that they treat oral diseases. Conditions treated were related to oral malodor, gum or periodontal disease, and tooth ache. Ayurvedic treatments given for these conditions were primarily preventive in nature.

Conclusions: Ayurvedic practitioners in the U.S. treat a variety of oral diseases using predominantly preventive traditional care. Asians and those who practiced for a longer duration were more likely to treat oral diseases. Larger population based studies are needed to further understand the current role of Ayurvedic practitioners in oral health care. Ayurvedic treatment modalities aimed at oral diseases need to be evaluated through rigorous randomized controlled trials for safety and efficacy/effectiveness.

Practice Implications: Patients with limited or no access to care and those seeking conventional dental care might also rely on Ayurvedic treatment for their oral health care. Ayurvedic preventive treatments, mostly based on natural products, can be incorporated in to overall preventive care regimes, if proven safe and effective.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. To describe the Ayurvedic treatment options in oral healthcare. 2. To evaluate the role of US based Ayurvedic practitioners in oral health care. 3. To discuss the various issues related to Ayurvedic practice e.g., Education and licensure issues of Ayurvedic practitioners and risk to the US population with the exposure to the under-trained Ayurvedic practitioners.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Oral Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an Ayurvedic practitioners from India with Masters degree in Clinical Research from New York University. I have been the principal investigator of this survey study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.