Protection Factors and Risk Factors of Caries in Children Aged 10-13 Years in Ujung Tanah Sub-District, Makassar City, South Sulawesi

Abstract

Background: Caries is one of the oral diseases that is often experienced by children around the world by 60%-90%, especially in low socioeconomic groups. The causes of caries are multifactorial, including socioeconomic level, age, gender, diet and oral hygiene. Sucrose or sugar commonly consumed is an important factor causing caries. Elementary school children are an age group that is very vulnerable to caries because they have poor behavior in maintaining oral and dental health. Aim: Knowing the protection factors and risk of caries in children aged 10-13 years. Method: The study was conducted in September 2022 - March 2023 on elementary school students aged 10-13 years in 3 (three) elementary schools in Ujung Tanah District, Makassar City, South Sulawesi Provision. The number of samples at SD Hang Tuah was 64 people, SDN Ujung Tanah 54 people, and SDN Cambaya 49 people with a total sample of 167 people with quantitative research methods using questionnaires. Results: The average value of protection factor against caries in SD Hang Tuah was 66.8%, SDN Ujung Tanah 72.5%, and SDN Cambaya 64.2%. The protection factor against caries in the three schools still needs to be improved. The average value of risk factors for caries in SD Hang Tuah was 33%, SDN Ujung Tanah 29.3%, and SDN Cambaya 32.7%. Risk factors for caries in the three schools still need to be reduced. Conclusion: The protection factor still needs to be improved while the risk factor still needs to be lowered by the three elementary schools. In addition, this study also found caries rates in the three schools in the very high category with a caries index of >6.6.