The Factors Affecting Oral Health Recognition and Practices of Sixth Graders

Abstract

This study was conducted to provide basic data for improvement of the oral health management ability and the factors affecting oral health recognition and practice of 6th graders. The research subjects total 259 numbers of 6th grade students in two schools located in Changwon, it was investigated and analyzed with structured questionnaires. The collected data is analyzed by using IBM SPSS Statistics 19.0. The average oral health recognition score investigated were 3.19±0.41, and 2.95±0.43 for oral health practices. The oral health recognition was statistically significant differences by fatherʼs education (p＜0.01), perceived oral health status (p＜0.01), perceived grade (p＜0.01), intention to attend oral health education (p＜0.001). The oral health practices was statistically significant differences by fatherʼs education (p＜0.01), perceived oral health status (p＜0.001), perceived grade (p＜0.05), parentʼs interest in childʼs toothbrushing (p＜0.01), experience of oral health education (p＜0.001), intention to attend oral health education (p＜0.05). The factors that may improve the oral health recognition are in order of oral health practices, intention to attend oral health education, and parentʼs attention to child's tooth brushing. The factors that may improve the oral health practice was found to be in order of oral health recognition, parentʼs attention to child's tooth brushing, and perceived oral health status. As a result, in order to improve oral health management ability of 6th grade students, the surrounding environment, the attitude on oral care, the interest of oral, and the current disease status of oral health are required to be identified, then the oral health education program should be provided.