Knowledge, attitude, practice about prevention of oral diseases among government higher secondary school teachers in Madurai

Abstract

Background: A teacher with adequate knowledge, positive attitude toward oral health can always play an important role in health education of school children and be an inspiration for children. Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice about oral disease government higher secondary school teachers in Madurai. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 250 higher secondary school teachers in Madurai. The data on oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 school teachers, one hundred and seventy-four were male, and seventy-six were female. Out of 250 study participants, only (2.4%) reported tooth decay as infectious. Most of the study subjects were aware that tobacco usage may lead to oral cancer. Majority of the study participants 236 (94.4%) used tooth brush and tooth paste to clean their teeth. Majority of them that is 236 (94.4%) used tooth brush and tooth paste to clean their teeth. Conclusion: The study found the school teachers having better tooth brushing practices, poor knowledge about dental caries, and better knowledge about tobacco ill effects. It was also found that they believed better training to the teachers in the subject of oral disease prevention improves oral health in school children.