Knowledge and attitudes towards oral and dental health among seventh and eighth grade students compared with their teeth examination

Authors

  • H Dag Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul
  • AK Fenercioglu Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Family Medicine, Istanbul
  • EA Ozyildiz Ozyildiz Oral and Dental Health Clinic, Manisa
  • H Karinca Ozyildiz Oral and Dental Health Clinic, Manisa
  • G Can Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Public Health Department, Istanbul
  • G Karatekin Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children's Training and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Istanbul

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2021.22.03.4

Keywords:

Oral health, dental heath, attitudes and knowledge

Abstract

AIM: Oral and dental heath are important aspects of general health and impact the quality of life and well-being. In this study, we aimed to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes towards oral and dental health and to examine the relative effect of social-behavioural risk factors on caries and other teeth problems among seventh and eighth grade students. METHODS: Study Design: The study population consisted of all seventh and eighth graders who started the 2011 school year in Sarigol village of the Manisa city, Turkey (n = 377). Data were gathered by questionnaires which were carried out before tooth examination. Associations between sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge items, attitudinal factors and number of dental caries, dental fillings and teeth loss were studied. CONCLUSION: Health authorities should strengthen the implementation of oral disease prevention and oral health promotion programs rather than traditional curative care. Community-oriented education programs for students and their families are crucial for this purpose