Oral health related knowledge, attitude, and practice among school children of Jyamrung, Nepal

Abstract

Oral diseases are common in school children of underprivileged region of developing countries. The community-based oral health promotion approach, using schools as a platform, is a way to tackle the oral health problems of community with limited human and financial resources. A base-line study was conducted in a school of Jyamrung so as to evaluate oral health related knowledge, attitude and practices among schoolchildren, based on which an oral health promotion program will be developed for the school. A descriptive study was conducted among all the students of the school. Oral heath related information of the students was collected using DMFT (Decayed Missing Filled Teeth) index and a questionnaire. A total of 88 children with age ranging from 6 to 16 years took part in the study. A total of 61% of the children had dental caries. Mean DMFT of the schoolchildren was 1.78 (SD 2.04). The Filled component score was 0. Children with the experience of tooth pain the previous year was 36.5% for 6-11 yrs of age, and 58.3% for 12-16 yrs of age. None of them had received any form of treatment following the pain. Only 4 children have dental consultation. Almost 92% of them have never received oral health education in their school. A comprehensive oral health care program is required to address the present oral health needs of the schoolchildren.

Oral Health Status and Practice among Buddhist Monk and Nun Students: Monastery Based Study in Nepal

“…The Oral health knowledge attitude and behavior among monks and nuns were good as compared to other students from government schools of Nepal with same age groups [12][13][14]. Dental caries prevalence in permanent dentition seems more as compared to Lee et al14 and similar with Shakya et al,12 this might be due to lack of regular oral practices, education and dental service provision. Another study done among monks and nuns…”

Factors affecting oral health problems among school children in Kaski District, Nepal

“…Student’s oral health knowledge was scored using a system adopted from previous studies (7,8) Oral health knowledge was determined by asking the following questions (1) periodontal disease can affect health, (2) regular tooth brush can protect tooth decay, (3) fizzy soft drinks affect the teeth, (4) use of fluorides prevent tooth decay, (5) gingivitis is a disease that makes your gums bleed, (6) causes of dental caries or proper tooth brushing can prevent dental caries (7) sugar causes tooth decay, (8) tooth decay is a disease that destroys your teeth, and (9) healthy teeth means strong and carries free teeth. Oral health practices were determined by asking the following questions: (1) frequency of brushing teeth, per day, (2) time spent for brushing in minute, (3) cleansing aid used, (4) materials used to clean teeth, (5) frequency of changing tooth brush, (6) type of toothpaste used, (7) mouth rinsing after eating, (8) clean tongue after meal or during rushing.…”

“…A total of 58% of schoolchildren aged between 5-6 years were affected by dental caries according to report by the National Pathfinder Survey, 2004. Another study found that oral health related problems was the prime reason of missing school in Nepal where32% of the students missed their school due to dental pain (6).…”

Influence of gender and oral health knowledge on DMFT index: a cross sectional study among school children in Kaski District, Nepal

“…Evidence is available about the association of oral health problems with oral hygiene practices and sociodemographic factors. A study conducted in Nepal has shown that socio-economic factors and poor oral health practices resulted in oral health problems [ 10 ]. Another study has also shown that gingival bleeding was common in children in rural areas [ 11 ].…”