Knowledge, Behaviour and Practices regarding Oral Health among Public School Students

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, behaviour and practices regarding caries lesions, periodontal disease, preventive measures, diet and oral hygiene among public school students by using specific questionnaire and then guide them on the main educational and preventive met...

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Main Authors: Luiza Maria Mendes Leme, Bruna Gonçalves Alvarenga de Oliveira, Daniela Maria de Toledo Ungaro, Eduardo Galera da Silva, Ana Paula Martins Gomes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade Estadual Paulista 2018-03-01
Series:Brazilian Dental Science
Online Access:https://ojs.ict.unesp.br/index.php/cob/article/view/1494
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author Luiza Maria Mendes Leme
Bruna Gonçalves Alvarenga de Oliveira
Daniela Maria de Toledo Ungaro
Eduardo Galera da Silva
Ana Paula Martins Gomes
author_facet Luiza Maria Mendes Leme
Bruna Gonçalves Alvarenga de Oliveira
Daniela Maria de Toledo Ungaro
Eduardo Galera da Silva
Ana Paula Martins Gomes
author_sort Luiza Maria Mendes Leme
collection DOAJ
description Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, behaviour and practices regarding caries lesions, periodontal disease, preventive measures, diet and oral hygiene among public school students by using specific questionnaire and then guide them on the main educational and preventive methods for oral health. Material and Methods: A total of 376 students aged between 11 and 15 years old were evaluated. The students answered a questionnaire and watched a 10-minute educational video on tooth-brushing techniques, use of dental floss and diet. All the participants were given toothbrushes, dentifrice and dental floss. The resulting data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: It was found that 54.26% of the school students were female, 95.21% had knowledge on caries lesions and only 15.96% know about periodontal disease. The surgeon-dentist was pointed out by 66.34% of the students as the responsible for guiding them on oral hygiene, with lack of hygiene being accounted for caries lesions and periodontal disease (64.09% and 38.30%, respectively). Toothbrush, dentifrice and dental floss were the most used resources for oral hygiene by 72.34% of the participants. Dental floss was used by 42.29% of the students, whereas 38.64% fail in doing so claiming they do not know how to use it. Conclusion: The school students showed knowledge on educational and preventive methods for oral health, but with some deficiencies; the majority of them were given guidelines on how to avoid oral problems by a surgeon-dentist; it is necessary to emphasise the importance of using dental floss in educational programs aimed at modifying the students’ behaviour and practices regarding oral health. Keywords Dental caries; Education on oral health education; Oral health; Children health; Public health.
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spelling doaj-art-bb592ed79246450d98a73034a5d690ad2025-08-22T19:02:57ZengUniversidade Estadual PaulistaBrazilian Dental Science2178-60112018-03-0121110.14295/bds.2018.v21i1.1494Knowledge, Behaviour and Practices regarding Oral Health among Public School StudentsLuiza Maria Mendes Leme0Bruna Gonçalves Alvarenga de Oliveira1Daniela Maria de Toledo Ungaro2Eduardo Galera da Silva3Ana Paula Martins Gomes4São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Restorative Dentistry – SP – Brazil.São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Restorative Dentistry – SP – Brazil.São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Restorative Dentistry – SP – Brazil.São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Social and Pediatric Dentistry – SP – Brazil.São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Restorative Dentistry – SP – Brazil. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, behaviour and practices regarding caries lesions, periodontal disease, preventive measures, diet and oral hygiene among public school students by using specific questionnaire and then guide them on the main educational and preventive methods for oral health. Material and Methods: A total of 376 students aged between 11 and 15 years old were evaluated. The students answered a questionnaire and watched a 10-minute educational video on tooth-brushing techniques, use of dental floss and diet. All the participants were given toothbrushes, dentifrice and dental floss. The resulting data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: It was found that 54.26% of the school students were female, 95.21% had knowledge on caries lesions and only 15.96% know about periodontal disease. The surgeon-dentist was pointed out by 66.34% of the students as the responsible for guiding them on oral hygiene, with lack of hygiene being accounted for caries lesions and periodontal disease (64.09% and 38.30%, respectively). Toothbrush, dentifrice and dental floss were the most used resources for oral hygiene by 72.34% of the participants. Dental floss was used by 42.29% of the students, whereas 38.64% fail in doing so claiming they do not know how to use it. Conclusion: The school students showed knowledge on educational and preventive methods for oral health, but with some deficiencies; the majority of them were given guidelines on how to avoid oral problems by a surgeon-dentist; it is necessary to emphasise the importance of using dental floss in educational programs aimed at modifying the students’ behaviour and practices regarding oral health. Keywords Dental caries; Education on oral health education; Oral health; Children health; Public health. https://ojs.ict.unesp.br/index.php/cob/article/view/1494
spellingShingle Luiza Maria Mendes Leme
Bruna Gonçalves Alvarenga de Oliveira
Daniela Maria de Toledo Ungaro
Eduardo Galera da Silva
Ana Paula Martins Gomes
Knowledge, Behaviour and Practices regarding Oral Health among Public School Students
Brazilian Dental Science
title Knowledge, Behaviour and Practices regarding Oral Health among Public School Students
title_full Knowledge, Behaviour and Practices regarding Oral Health among Public School Students
title_fullStr Knowledge, Behaviour and Practices regarding Oral Health among Public School Students
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, Behaviour and Practices regarding Oral Health among Public School Students
title_short Knowledge, Behaviour and Practices regarding Oral Health among Public School Students
title_sort knowledge behaviour and practices regarding oral health among public school students
url https://ojs.ict.unesp.br/index.php/cob/article/view/1494
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