Teachers’ knowledge on caries aetiology and prevention – a pilot survey

Abstract

Introduction. Education conducted by teachers, who should have up-to-date knowledge of the aetiology and prevention of caries, plays an important role in shaping dental health behaviours and attitudes in children. Aim. To assess the knowledge of primary school teachers on the aetiology and prevention of caries. Material and methods. Online surveys were conducted among primary school teachers in 10 voivodeships as part of the “Monitoring the oral health of the Polish population in 2016-2020” programme. The survey assessed the respondents’ knowledge of the aetiology of caries in children, as well as the benefits of dental care and caries prevention. Results. A total of 55 primary education teachers participated in the study. Most of the respondents pointed to bacteria (92.7%), sugar (96.4%) and their combination (98.2%) as aetiological factors of caries. Regular dental check-ups and tooth brushing were reported as preventive factors by all teachers. A total of 85.5% of respondents indicated the use of dental floss and only 74.5% knew the preventive effect of fluoride compounds. Participation in training courses on the prevention of oral diseases was declared by 23.6% of respondents, and 45.5% of teachers conducted classes on oral health among students in the past. Conclusions. The insufficient level of knowledge among Polish teachers about the aetiology and prevention of dental caries indicates the need for their substantive training so that they can conduct pro-health education for children. Studies in a larger group is needed to identify their educational needs.