Oral health is a human right and is essential to general health. However, oral health, is a neglected global health issue. The two diseases that affect oral health are dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease (inflammation of the gums). More than 90% of caries goes untreated for those in low-socioeconomic countries and far less data is collected on women (i). Mumbai, India is home to 12 million with more than half the population living in slums and 95% of the adult population suffers from oral gum disease (ii, iii). The main objectives of this research study are to 1. Identify the oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers in the Powai and Dhobi Ghat slums in Mumbai, India through qualitative interviews.

2. Evaluate the prevalence of oral disease in women through a general dental examination and periodontal examination.

3. Assess the efficacy of the basic oral health education intervention using the health tool-kit provided to the health workers at the Powai and Dhobi Ghat health camps in Mumbai, India