~ 202 ~ ISSN Print: 2394-7500 ISSN Online: 2394-5869 Impact Factor: 5.2 IJAR 2016; 2(6): 202-205 www.allresearchjournal.com Received: 21-04-2016 Accepted: 22-05-2016 Unnati Pitale Prof. & HOD, Department of Periodontics Modern Dental College and Research Centre Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Rohit Pandey P.G. Student, Department of Periodontics Modern Dental College and Research Centre Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Hitesh Mankad P.G. Student, Department of Periodontics Modern Dental College and Research Centre Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Suyasha Raghuvanshi P.G. Student, Department of Periodontics Modern Dental College and Research Centre Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Shikha Dhakad P.G. Student, Department of Periodontics Modern Dental College and Research Centre Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Manish Verma P.G. Student, Department of Periodontics Modern Dental College and Research Centre Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Correspondence Unnati Pitale Prof. & HOD, Department of Periodontics Modern Dental College and Research Centre Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Assessment of translation and validation of the Hindi version of the oral health knowledge, hygiene attitudes & behavior among English & Hindi medium school teachers Unnati Pitale, Rohit Pandey, Hitesh Mankad, Suyasha Raghuvanshi, Shikha Dhakad and Manish Verma Abstract Oral health has traditionally been defined in term of disease. Today, health is seen in a wider context: taking into account its impact everyday living. There is several studies are being designing to improve the quality of life. Education of oral health awareness to schoolchildren is important. School teachers can play a major role in imparting knowledge of the causes and prevention of common oral diseases. A school-based program is most effective because children are approached at a time when their health habits are forming. Aim: To assess the oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of Hindi and English medium schoolteachers toward oral hygiene and oral health in the English and Hindi version of the oral health questionnaire in Indore city. Material and Methods: In this present study randomized Hindi and English medium schools were chosen in different areas from the city Indore, and teachers of schools constituted the target population of the study. Questionnaires were distributed to the interested teachers. Results: Majority of school teachers reported acceptable knowledge, attitudes and behaviour, but the English medium school teachers tended to possess more positive attitudes and behaviour than their counterparts (i.e. Hindi medium school teachers). Conclusion: All the teachers should be engaged in the design and planning stages of school health programmes. Teachers should be made aware of their duties as role models, facilitators and partners of parents and community members. They can avail benefits from oral health promotion efforts and the same way oral health promotion can help them to achieve learning and teaching objectives and skill. Keywords: School teachers, Oral health, Oral hygiene. 1. Introduction The principal official language of the Republic of India is standard Hindi, while English is the secondary official language [1] . Recently, the definition of (oral) health has shifted to address more than the absence of physical disease. The new definition defines health as an individual's perception of his health in the context of physical, psychological and social well- being [2] . Oral disease prevalence has been studied in different samples of adults, but less is known about how the disease and symptoms affect adults' daily activities and quality of life [3] . School teachers in India constitute one of the biggest organized forces [4] . This organizations shapes the future of the country and prepare young ones for life. Thus they should remain as role models for the children [5] . Behavioral modification may be the family responsibility for the child population, but oral health education could also be given by the school teachers [4] effectively, if teacher itself educated and motivated for effective oral hygiene measures. There are very few reports from Indian subcontinent that assessed the school teachers’ dental health knowledge and awareness [4] , which is very essential to make them aware about the proper oral hygiene and its maintenance. School teachers play a major role in society equivalent to parents for their personality as a whole. International Journal of Applied Research 2016; 2(6): 202-205