Assessment of Knowledge and Practice on Oral Health and Oral Hygiene Status Among Fitche Preparatory School Students in Fitche Town, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Good oral hygiene is essential for the well-being of an individual. However lack of knowledge, negative attitude and poor oral hygiene practices may predispose to oral related diseases. This study sought to determine whether practice and knowledge on oral health relate to the oral hygiene status. The study design was been descriptive cross-sectional study and the study population will involves both male and female students sampled from the class. Data will be analyzed using scientific calculator and presented in form of tables, charts and graphs. The number of participant for this study is 264 students and of these 158 [60%] and 106 [40%] are female. Most of them are between the age of 18-22, or in early adult hood age. From all respondents, 228 or 86% of give care for their tooth and mouth at least once a day and the remaining 36 [14%] of students replied they were not give care for their mouth and teeth properly. The main reason for not give mouth care is lack of money to buy toothpaste [56%], belief of not necessary [22%] and do not have toothbrush 8 [22%]. All the above result shows that status of oral hygiene is low among fiche preparatory students. The result also shows that peer pressure is encouraging in supporting good oral hygiene as we observe in the above that 71.2% of our study participants got appreciation from their colleagues after they clean their teeth.