Self-Reported Knowledge and Behaviors Related to Oral and Dental Health in Turkish Children

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the study was to present oral- and dental health–related knowledge and behaviors of children who presented to Akdeniz University Medical Faculty Pediatric Outpatient Clinic between March 1 and May 1, 2006 for non–dental health reasons. Method: Data were collected from a total of 173 children. A survey which contained questions about the children's oral and dental health was completed using face-to-face interview technique.Results: Forty-eight percent of the children were 5–6 years old and 68.8% were not going to school. It was determined that 43.3% of the mothers of the children in the study had a primary-school level of education and 74.6% were housewives. It also was determined that 49.1% of the children had never had a cavity, 43.4% stated that they brushed their teeth after meals, and 30.6% stated that they brushed at least once a day. More than sixty percent of the children spent their allowance on chocolate, chips, cola, candy, and other acidic drinks. A significant relationship was found between the children's ages and having a caries in this study. There also was a statistically significant relationship between the parents' tooth-brushing habit and the children's tooth brushing, and between the parents' frequency of tooth brushing and the children's frequency of tooth brushing.Conclusion: Based on the results of the study it is recommended that both children and their families be given education about oral and dental health.