Survey of Oral Hygiene Habits and Knowledge among School Children: a cross-sectional study from Italy

Authors

  • G Tortora Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
  • M Farronato Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
  • F Gaffuri Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
  • P Carloni Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
  • C Occhipinti Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
  • M Tucci Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
  • N Cenzato Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
  • C Maspero Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2023.1812

Keywords:

Oral hygiene, health, dental knowledge, hygiene behaviour

Abstract

AIM: This study is aimed to investigate the oral hygiene practice, knowledge and attitude of young adults, assessing their awareness about the impact of a certain "risk" behaviour on their oral and dental health. MATERIALS: This is a cross-sectional survey study conducted on 829 students (350 males and 479 females, mean age 13–20 years) attending high school in Milan and surrounding areas. They were asked to complete anonymous questionnaire during the first semester of the 2019-2020 school year, under the supervision of a teacher and/or an assigned interviewer. The questionnaire was created by "Laboratorio Adolescenza", in collaboration with the International Alliance of Responsible Drinking (IARD) Research Institute and the University of Milan. All of the data was compiled into table or graph form and analysed. CONCLUSION: There is a general awareness among Italian school children about the risks of bad oral habits, however, there is a need to improve the oral health knowledge, attitude and practices in the target population with emphasis on improvement of oral hygiene practices.