Oral Health and Dental Treatment Knowledge , Attitudes and Behavior among Syrian School Children = معرفة أطفال المدارس السوريين و موقفهم و سلوكهم تجاه الصحة الفموية و المعالجة السنية

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of Syrian schoolchildren towards oral health and dental treatment. Methods: Students of this study aged between 11-15 years old attending public schools completed a questionnaire that aimed to evaluate young schoolchildren’s behavior, knowledge, and perception of their oral health. Results: 300 students participated in this study. Results of this study indicated that desire to improve oral health found to be high among children (80%). Dental Anxiety scores were also high (83%).Toothache was the major driving factor for dental visits (81.8%) and regular dental visits weren't necessary for most participants (87.5%). About (73.2%) of the children in this study have not recognized the importance of oral health to the well-being of the rest of the body. (53.8%) of them think that it's possible to treat a cavity at its early stage by brushing, while (28.4%) think that cavities are impossible to avoid. Conclusions: The findings of this study had indicated that the participants had poor oral health behavior, insufficient knowledge, but positive attitudes regarding oral health and dental treatments.