Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness to Dental Caries Among Indian Children and Adolescents: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess paternal education, parental occupation, family income, level of knowledge and to determine the attitude and awareness of cases and controls in relation to dental caries and its risk factors in 6-18 years old respondents. Material and Methods: A case-control study was carried out in the outpatient Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry. A total of 800 subjects, 400 each in case and control group were enrolled. The cases were subjects in designated age group with dental caries while controls were subjects without dental caries but matched with the cases on three confounding factors-age, sex, and religion. Multivariate logistic regression was used, with a significance level set at 5%. Results: Paternal education [illiterate (p=0.002), high school (p=0.005), intermediate (p=0.001), graduate (p=0.002)], family income per month [2000 INR (30 USD) (p=0.016); 5000-10,000 INR (75USD-145 USD) (p=0.035)], attitude of short visit duration to dentist (p<0.001), knowledge about sweets causing dental caries (p<0.001), awareness about symptoms of dental caries (p<0.001) and need of lifestyle change (p<0.001) were significantly associated with dental caries. Conclusion: The present research showed that in cases, knowledge was higher as compared to controls whereas contrasting results were observed with attitude and awareness. These results necessitate an urgent need of national programme integrated with primary health care under school health and community outreach programmes, so as to encourage the population to adopt and as well as sustain dental health promoting lifestyles and practices and help in reducing the disease burden.

Dental caries and brushing techniques attitude in school students: An original research

“…[ 2 3 ] In our study, 80% answered that dental caries is avertable which is in unison with a study by Khan et al . [ 3 ] Considering the brushing frequency, 95% of students brushed at least once daily, and 78.5% had good knowledge of brushing teeth. Nonetheless, only 30% brushed their teeth twice, similar to other studies,[ 2 4 ] where 38.5% brushed twice.…”

“…[ 5 6 7 8 ] In our study, knowledge about dental caries among students was 72.5%, presenting that teenagers were aware of the causes of dental caries, similar to findings by Mhaske et al ., and Khan et al . [ 2 3 ] In our study, 80% answered that dental caries is avertable which is in unison with a study by Khan et al . [ 3 ] Considering the brushing frequency, 95% of students brushed at least once daily, and 78.5% had good knowledge of brushing teeth.…”

“…Dental caries is prevalent among both developed and developing countries alike. [ 1 2 3 ] Oral hygiene habits have to be implemented at the early stages for deterrence of dental caries in children. Good oral hygiene will result in greater self-esteem and confidence of the individual.…”

Hubungan Perilaku Masyarakat Ekonomi Rendah Desa Kleng Cot Aroen Dengan Penyakit Gingivitis

“…Tingkat pengetahuan seseorang sangat berpengaruh terhadap kesadaran untuk menjaga kebersihan gigi dan mulut. Pengetahuan adalah salah satu faktor untuk dapat membentuk kesehatan gigi dan mulut [11][12] [13]. Berdasarkan hasil jawaban dari kuesioner, pengetahuan masyarakat tentang gingivitis di mana sebagian besar dari mereka tidak tahu informasi yang dapat menyebabkan terjadinya gingivitis dan masyarakat juga mengatakan waktu yang tepat menyikat gigi adalah hanya ketika mandi.…”