Oral Health Practices Research Articles

Prevalence, risk factors, and parental perspectives of dental caries in children in Odisha: A mixed-method study

Background/objectiveDespite numerous advances in dentistry, the frequency of dental caries remains high, especially among children. Therefore, the study's objectives were to assess the prevalence of dental caries in school-aged children between ages 6–14 years, to identify the risk factors associated with dental caries and to explore parents' understanding and awareness of preventing dental caries among children. MethodA mixed method study was conducted in the rural areas of Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts in Odisha, India. Children were chosen from schools using a multistage sampling process. Pretested and standardised questionnaires were utilized to collect data from children, while interviews with parents and teachers were employed to collect qualitative data. The DMFT/DEFT index was calculated for children. Data were analysed using frequency, percentage and binary multiple logistic regression analysis. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. ResultA total of 419 children, 14 parents, and 12 teachers participated in the study. The findings of the current study reported the prevalence of dental caries in 60 % of children. In addition, age, a high frequency of sugar and chocolate consumption, and poor socioeconomic status were found to be associated with a high risk of dental caries. Furthermore, the results of the thematic analysis indicated parent and teacher awareness and understanding of dental caries; however, it highlights the need for improved oral health practices. ConclusionThese insights from qualitative and quantitative findings can guide the development and improvement of preventive interventions to combat dental caries through implementing oral health programs in schools, thereby fostering better oral health and overall well-being among the younger population.

Comparative Analysis of Mouth Self-Examination Awareness Amongst Tobacco Users in Urban and Rural Populations.

Oral cavity cancer is a growing concern, especially in developing countries like India, due to risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, nutritional deficiencies, and spicy food intake. Early detection through screening and Mouth Self-examination (MSE) can significantly improve outcomes, but limited awareness and pain in advanced stages lead to delayed detection. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of MSE among tobacco users in urban and rural populations. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving tobacco users (smoking, smokeless, or both). An observational questionnaire-based approach was employed, with informed consent obtained from participants. A questionnaire in Hindi and English was used, consisting of demographic details and 13 close-ended questions. The analysis revealed that individuals from urban areas (71.9%) exhibited significantly higher awareness of Mouth self- examination (MSE) compared to those from rural areas (1.9%). Chi-square analysis demonstrated that urban residents exhibited significantly higher awareness, understanding, confidence, desire for information, and positive attitudes towards Mouth Self-Examination (MSE) compared to rural residents. Multivariate analysis showed that education had a consistent and substantial impact on both knowledge and practice scores. The study highlights substantial urban-rural disparities in mouth self- examination (MSE) awareness and attitudes, with urban residents demonstrating significantly higher levels. Targeted interventions and awareness campaigns are vital to bridge this gap and improve oral health practices, especially in rural areas.

Oral Health Care Among Women in Perimenopause or Menopause: An Integrative Review.

Women in menopause are at a higher risk of developing oral health problems, affecting their overall quality of life. Several studies have identified the role of health care providers in addressing women's oral health needs across various phases of their lives, yet a review in the area of perimenopause and menopause has not been undertaken. Therefore, the aim of this review was to explore current evidence regarding the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women in perimenopause or menopause and their health care providers. Additionally, guidelines and recommendations to inform strategies for oral health promotion are included. A systematic search was carried out across 5 databases. Inclusion criteria included articles published in English that examined at least one study outcome: oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of either women in perimenopause or menopause or of health care providers or guidelines around oral health care. Qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and experimental studies with survey components were included with no restrictions on publication period, quality, or setting. A total of 12 articles met the inclusion criteria, with a majority being of poor quality and mostly from low-income and middle-income countries. Overall findings indicated that there was a lack of knowledge and limited practices in maintaining oral hygiene and visiting the dentist among women in perimenopause or menopause. Health care providers exhibited poor attitudes in advising the importance of periodic dental check-ups and informing oral health changes during this period. There were also insufficient guidelines to adopt care for women and guide health care providers in their practice. Women in perimenopause or menopause have limited oral health knowledge and unmet oral health needs. Appropriate guidelines and supportive strategies are required to assist health care providers in providing comprehensive care and encouragement to women in perimenopause or menopause to improve their oral health.

Oral health-related knowledge, attitude and practices among nurses: a hospital-based questionnaire survey from a tertiary healthcare setting in Faridabad, India

BackgroundNurses play an integral part in the comprehensive delivery of healthcare services and contribute significantly to the success of public health initiatives. The knowledge, attitude and practices of nurses in...

Social Story Intervention for Training Expected Behaviors among Preschool Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Promoting appropriate behaviors in early childhood is crucial for children's future development. This systematic review aimed to explore the efficacy of social story (SS) intervention in teaching expected behaviors among preschool children. A structured search strategy was applied to five online electronic databases. The references were systematically screened in accordance with the PRISMA statements. Randomized or non-randomized controlled studies, as well as single-subject studies, in which SSs served as a behavioral training approach for children aged 2 to 6 years were included. Information related to study design, characteristics of the participants, target behaviors, and implementation of SS intervention was extracted. A meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model, where similar outcomes were evaluated by similar intervention across multiple studies. Twenty-one studies were identified for qualitative analysis, while two studies formed the basis of the meta-analysis. SS interventions were employed to teach a variety of behaviors among typically developing children as well as those with various disabilities, such as autism, developmental delay, hearing impairments, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or other disabilities. The target behaviors included oral health practices, peer interaction, staying on-task, self-regulation, sleep habits, and controlling aggressive behavior during group activities. The SSs were used either alone or combined with other strategies, such as positive reinforcement, music therapy, role play, group discussion, video self-modeling, immediate practices, or additional audio commentary. Most studies reported improvements in appropriate behaviors and/or reductions in unfavorable behaviors. The meta-analysis indicated that children practiced more toothbrushing steps when using SS interventions compared to conventional oral health instruction (Z = 3.60, MD = 0.66, 95%CI 0.30 to 1.02, p < 0.001). SS interventions have the potential to teach target behaviors, particularly toothbrushing behaviors, among preschool children. More well-designed randomized controlled trials are warranted to determine the efficacy of SS interventions among children with various developmental profiles.

Correlation between the Oral and Mental Health of University Students in Serbia-A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the correlation between subjective oral health status and mental health in a group of university students in Serbia. The study included 948 students, aged between 18 and 27, from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia, and was conducted in 2020. The World Health Organization's Oral Health Questionnaire for Adults was utilized to evaluate the respondents' self-perceived oral health and oral hygiene practices. The existence of depressive symptoms was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) was used for determining anxiety symptoms. It is observed that 28.9% of respondents exhibit symptoms of depression and 42.3% showed symptoms of anxiety. Results show that students with severe depression and anxiety symptoms very often reported lower self-perceived oral health and oral health problems. Although the nature of this relationship has not been thoroughly evaluated, several studies have shown a mutually dependent connection between oral health and mental health. The results suggest that some aspects of oral health are associated with higher risks of developing symptoms of depression or anxiety, and vice versa.

Association between oral hygiene knowledge and practices among older dental patients attending private dental clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundEnsuring optimal oral hygiene is crucial for preserving the well-being of hard and soft tissues within the oral system. A lack of proper oral hygiene can have a detrimental impact on an individual’s health, leading to conditions such as caries and periodontitis. Therefore, this study investigated the association between the knowledge and practices of older patients in oral hygiene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 111 older patients who presented at purposively selected dental clinics in Addis Ababa. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit study participants. The data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included information related to the patient’s knowledge and practices related to oral hygiene. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to investigate the associations between independent and dependent variables. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated, and variables with a p value < 0.05 in the multivariate analysis were considered significant.ResultsThe median age of the study participants was 70.31 years (65–100). Inadequate oral hygiene knowledge was found in 53.15% of the participants, while more than three-quarters (83.78%) of the older participants practiced poor oral hygiene. Older patients with good oral hygiene knowledge were 7.6 times more likely to practice good oral hygiene practices (AOR, 7.6; 95% CI (2.05–27.9)).ConclusionsPoor oral health is significantly associated with various health problems, particularly in older people. This study examined the relationship between oral health knowledge and practices in older dental patients and revealed insufficient knowledge and practices among participants. The results showed a notable link between oral health knowledge and practices in this demographic group, highlighting the need for support to improve oral health status. Organizations should increase awareness among older patients to improve their oral health status.

Oral health promotion and dental care of children with microcephaly in the context of public health

The university's fundamental mission is to be a source of scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and academic public health practices, all the while being mindful of social responsibility. But when faced with children in vulnerable clinical conditions, what would this public and professional knowledge and practice be? Currently, there is a lack of oral health education programs aimed at children with microcephaly, including a protocol for preventive dental care. This study aims to describe the field experiences of the academic team of the Dental School of the State University of Southwest Bahia in oral public health practices in children with microcephaly based on the principles of universality, equity, and integrality. Extracurricular activities provide a dialogue between the university and society, where both environments teach and learn from each other, making the university not the only place where knowledge is shared. Consequently, professors and students must understand that in order to achieve a high quality education, the implementation of extracurriculars in their academic curriculum is extremely necessary.

Salivary AST Enzyme Level as a Biomarker for Tracking the Progress of Gum Disease Treatment in Children

Background: Periodontal disease is a persistent inflammatory illness characterized by the destruction of supporting components, which may ultimately result in tooth loss. The most often seen kind of periodontal disease in children and adolescents is gingivitis, which has a significant correlation with certain socioeconomic variables and oral health practices. Numerous salivary biomarkers, such as AST, have been suggested as potential indicators for the timely identification and advancement of periodontal disease. Aims of the study: The aim is to demonstrate the impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy on children with periodontal disease (PD) and determine whether the AST marker may be used to forecast the advancement of gingival illnesses at various stages in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: This case-control research included the observation of a cohort of 30 children, with ages ranging from 6 to 12 years. The individuals were categorized into two cohorts according to their periodontal well-being: a cohort of 17 children diagnosed with gingivitis and another cohort of 13 children diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. All participants salivary AST enzyme levels, LI, GI, and CAL were assessed at two time points: baseline and one month follow-up. Conclusion: Children with gingivitis and chronic periodontitis may benefit from non-surgical periodontal therapy and dental hygiene instruction. Tracking therapy progress in children with periodontal disease may be facilitated by monitoring salivary AST enzyme levels. The measurement of salivary AST enzyme levels provides a non-invasive method for evaluating the effectiveness of therapy in the field of pediatric dental care.

From chisels to lasers: a narrative of history of dentistry in the Indo-Pak Subcontinent

&lt;p&gt;The research highlights the rich heritage of dentistry in the Indian subcontinent and the diverse influences that have shaped its evolution. The roots of dentistry can be traced back to the inhabitants of the Indo-Pak subcontinent at Mehrgarh where the earliest evidence of dental practices was found. By analyzing the methods of the primitive &amp;ldquo;tooth-pullers&amp;rdquo; to those of modern-day specialists, this study delves deep into the influence of Ayurveda, Unani medicine, colonialism, and global exchanges on the field of dentistry.The study begins with the analysis of Ayurvedic records which document early dental procedures and the use of herbal remedies for oral diseases followed by the exploration of colonialism and the effect of Western medicine on shaping oral health practices. The dual system of healthcare prevailed due to the incorporation of traditional and modern medicine. Furthermore, the key milestones are discussed. Alongside the developments, the study also discusses the challenges faced in achieving those developments and the initiatives launched that aimed at improving the quality of care provided. Patterns that led to the development of dentistry can be recognized which will help in further improvement.In conclusion, the transition of dentistry from primitive practices to modern procedures is mainly due to the interaction between tradition and modernization. The findings of the paper underscore the need for improvement in research standards and a greater focus on public health by adopting both, traditional and modern-day medicine.&lt;/p&gt;

Oral health status, behavior, and practices among hearing impaired children attending a specialized school in Jordan.

To assess the oral health status and related factors among hearing impaired schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study among 115 hearing impaired schoolchildren enrolled at the School of the Deaf in Jordan. The World Health Organization (WHO) methodology and criteria were applied to collect data on caries, gingival bleeding. The WHO classification modified by Andreasen etal. was used to record traumatic dental injuries (TDIs). Sociodemographic data, oral health practices, and oral health related quality of life information were collected using a structured questionnaire. The prevalence of caries among the study sample was 84.3%, the dominating component was untreated dental caries. Mean decayed, missing, filled primary teeth (dmft) was 8 in the primary dentition and 3.62 in the mixed dentition, mean Decayed, Missing, Filled permanent Teeth (DMFT) was 1.38 in the mixed dentition and 2.87 in the permanent. The overall mean of gingival bleeding percentage among the whole study sample was 70.38%. the prevalence of TDIs was of 11.3% and mostly caused by falls. The prevalence of dental caries and caries experience, rate of gingival bleeding and dental trauma in children with hearing impaired individuals are high compared to figures observed in studies conducted among Jordanian schoolchildren with normal hearing. Dental diseases impact the quality of life of these individuals.

Oral Health Knowledge Attitudes and Practices of Parents of Preschool Children in Amman, Jordan 2019: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aims: Oral health is a vital part of early childhood care. Parents and guardians should have appropriate oral health knowledge and be aware of—and change their perception and attitudes to—their children’s oral health to prevent oral disease. Our aim in this study was to investigate the oral knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents of preschool children.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenient sample of 386 participants from dental and pediatric clinics at Jordan University Hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman correlation were used to examine differences in oral health knowledge, attitude and practice of preschool children parents’, and to study the relationship between variables.Results: The mean score for knowledge was 6.1 out of 10 (SD= 2), attitude 14.6 out of 15 (SD= 0.86) and practice 1.6 out of 6 (SD=1.1). In this study, there was a statistically significant difference in the knowledge in relation to parents’ education status (U= 1587.0, p&lt;0.001). Other socio-demographic variables (gender, age, occupational status), did not show any statistical significance. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between knowledge and practice, and between attitude and practice (p˂0.01). Moreover, there was a marginal but statistically significant positive relationship between knowledge and attitude (p=0.05).Conclusions: The level of oral health knowledge and practices of parents of preschool children were low despite having a positive attitude. In addition, there was a gap regarding appropriate practices, which may be attributed to cost, time or commitment. Moreover, there was a statistically significant relation regarding the knowledge and education level of parents. Also, there was a statistically significant relation between knowledge and practice, as well as attitude and practice.

Oral health literacy, knowledge, practice and beliefs among Asian Americans: A scoping review.

The Asian American (AsA) population is at high risk for poor oral health outcomes and remains an underserved and understudied community. Low oral health literacy could explain poor oral health behaviours, practices and outcomes in this population. The aims were as follows: (i) provide a scoping review of oral health literacy, knowledge, practice and beliefs among AsA individuals residing in the United States; (ii) identify any instruments or tools translated into participants' language and (iii) determine whether the translated instruments had been assessed for validity and reliability. The current study used a scoping review framework based on PRISMA-ScR that included rigorous eligibility criteria, search strategy, independent selection process with adjudication, and standardized reporting of outcomes. The search was conducted on March 14, 2022, and updated on February 25, 2023 and February 13, 2024, in the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and CINAHL. Peer-reviewed original research on oral health literacy, knowledge, awareness, practice, and beliefs related to oral health care in AsA subgroups published in English were included. Two reviewers independently assessed whether titles and abstracts should be included for review, with discrepancies adjudicated by a third reviewer. Data extracted from articles used a standard template that included study design, and measurement tools of oral health, knowledge, awareness, practice and beliefs, as well as results and conclusions of the publication. In addition, the template captured whether the translated and original measurement tools were assessed for reliability and validity. Of the 367 papers identified, 10 studies that met eligibility criteria were included in the final review. Of these, four studies used previously validated tools to assess oral health measurements in AsA. Only five of the studies translated the tools into the participants' native language. Although AsA exhibited lower oral health literacy than Whites but higher than Hispanics and African Americans, none of the translated tools were assessed for reliability and validity. Acculturation and country of birth were factors influencing oral health behaviours related to good oral health practice and utilization, with AsA born in the United States exhibiting higher oral health utilization than those born in their country of origin. Oral health beliefs played a significant role in dental care utilization among AsA populations. The scoping review on oral health in Asian American communities identifies a significant research gap, particularly in the lack of validated tools for assessing oral health literacy, which varies across ethnic groups. It notes that AsA generally have lower oral health literacy compared to Whites, but higher than Hispanics and African Americans. AsA born in the United States shows better oral health practices, influenced by acculturation and birth country. The findings emphasize the need for more thorough and culturally adapted research methods to address oral health disparities in this diverse group.

Integrated oral care for patients with spinal cord injuries: perceptions of non-dental professionals

Purpose To understand the oral health attitudes, knowledge, and practices among non-dental professionals caring for patients with spinal cord injuries, as well as the barriers and facilitators to oral care across acute and rehabilitation hospital settings. Materials and Methods This study was a descriptive qualitative study. Nine focus groups with spinal cord injury clinicians from two Sydney hospitals were conducted (n = 35). A thematic analysis was undertaken. Results Four themes were constructed: understanding the impact of spinal cord injuries on oral health and wellbeing; limited support in the spinal cord injury unit to promote oral care; strategies that enable oral care promotion; and recommendations to expand scope in oral care and education. Although most clinicians considered oral health to be important there was a lack of guidelines to support standardised oral care practices. Barriers included lack of time, limited oral care resources, low priority and difficulty in accessing treatment. Staff were receptive to an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to oral care. Conclusion This Australian first study provides insight into spinal cord injury clinicians’ knowledge and practices of oral care. The findings will help guide future research in developing appropriate models of care to promote oral health among patients with spinal cord injuries.

Oral health practices related risk factors and prevalence of dental caries in Armed Forces: A multicentric study

BackgroundDental caries is a multifactorial disease known to be associated with the individual’s lifestyle and attitude to health. Prevalence of dental caries in military personnel is higher due to their rugged profession, where soldiers endure the toughest of hostilities. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries in Indian Armed Forces and its association with oral health related behaviours, i.e., tooth brushing, flossing, smoking, use of fluoride toothpaste, and pattern of dental attendance. MethodsTotal of 22690 individuals with a mean age of of 35 ± 8 were examined. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data on oral hygiene habits, following which oral inspection of the individuals was done. Once the data was compiled, the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index was used to determine caries experience and to compare with oral health behaviours. ResultsArmed Forces of India has a pan India presence, and as a result, study pertaining to soldiers becomes cumbersome. The study was conducted to assess the changing patterns of oral diseases, create oral awareness, and to initiate oral health bank data of soldiers. The prevalence of dental caries 58.4% and DMFT rate 4.67+/-1.94 of Indian soldiers remains lower than those of the rest of the Armed Forces of the world. ConclusionPrevalence of caries in Indian soldiers is lower than that of the rest of the Armies. The study depicts caries experience was lesser in soldiers practising positive oral health behaviours and a strong association between the rate of caries experience and oral health–related behaviours.

Oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of paediatric nurses caring for hospitalized children

ObjectivesNurses are well positioned to provide oral care to hospitalized children. This study explores pediatric hospital nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceived barriers to providing oral care.MethodsUsing a descriptive cross-sectional design, previously validated surveys were adapted based on input from key stakeholders and administered to all nurses and staff providing patient care on inpatient units (N = 239) of a pediatric hospital.ResultsThe survey response rate was 40% (N = 96), providing a margin of error of 7.59% (95% C.I.). Most participants were unaware that caries is infectious (51%, n = 49) and caries-producing bacteria is transmissible (35%, n = 34). The majority (57%, n = 52) of participants did not recall oral care content within their formal education or oral care continuing education (88%, n = 81), despite high interest (87%, n = 80). Oral care was rated by most as a priority (85%, n = 81), yet the majority (74%, n = 69) believed it is under performed. More nurses with 6 or more years of experience placed a high or very high value on prioritizing oral health (p = 0.005). Furthermore, most nurses do not assess oral health on admission (63%, n = 60), routinely incorporate oral health into the care plan (45%, n = 43), or document oral care (60%, n = 56). Commonly reported barriers include lack of patient cooperation, medical status, and competing needs.Conclusions and outcomeDespite nurses valuing the importance of oral care and their willingness to learn, oral care practices are lacking, and barriers exist. Future investigation is required to further explore the findings related to barriers to care and lack of practice. These results and future findings will be used to guide institutional oral care policy and education.

Perceptions of patients towards oral health care in a spinal cord injury rehabilitation unit: A qualitative study.

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are at an increased risk of poor oral health compared to the general population. However, little is known about the related barriers and facilitators experienced by these individuals within the hospital setting. Understand the oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices of people with SCIs, barriers and facilitators to managing their oral health, and recommendations to improve oral care at acute/rehabilitation hospital settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 participants, from a major metropolitan hospital in Sydney, Australia. The interviews were thematically analysed. Three themes were constructed. Participants believed that the onus was on them to manage their oral health. Individuals also had limited knowledge of its importance to general health, and placed a lower priority on oral health compared to other aspects of health. All participants identified a combination of factors, such as cost, time, resources and prior negative experiences, that contributed to the neglect of their oral care. Participants also discussed the need of support from the multidisciplinary team and family/carers to facilitate oral care and identified various appropriate oral health education formats. This study highlighted some areas where oral health knowledge among people with SCIs could be improved. It also identified the need for oral health training for the multidisciplinary team, as well as carers, to better integrate oral care during rehabilitation in the hospital. The development of oral health interventions would need to utilise a co-design approach to best support clients and their carers to facilitate oral care self-management.

Educating long-term care staff on older adult oral health: Maine's oral team-based initiative vital access to education (MOTIVATE) program.

The oral health status of older adults in the United States is a public health crisis and a silent epidemic. Maine's Oral Team-Based Initiative Vital Access to Education (MOTIVATE) Program is an innovative interprofessional oral health program aimed at enhancing oral health education and practice of interprofessional health care teams in nursing homes. Using a blended learning model, a combination of in-person and online learning, this program provides a foundation from which to implement evidenced based oral care in nursing homes. Learning outcomes were assessed via a three-part timed series survey. A set of self-report assessment items measured skills implemented at baseline and post-training. Learning domain scores increased over time from baseline to post-training. Confidence in providing oral healthcare and role clarity in providing oral health care improved over time. Staff identified using new skills in daily oral care and communication across the interprofessional team. The MOTIVATE program is an effective collaborative-based model for developing oral health competencies and promoting evidence-based oral health care in nursing homes.

Exploring Oral Health Knowledge and Practices among Early Childhood Caregivers A Cross-Sectional Survey

Early childhood is a crucial developmental phase of a child's well-being, which lays the foundation for their future growth. Lack of good oral practices may cause dental issues during this fundamental phase of development and have a long-lasting impact on a child's overall well-being. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, to explore oral health knowledge and practices among the caregivers of young children. A sample of 94 participants, including parents, caregivers, early childhood educators, and healthcare professionals (HCPS), was included through a convenient sampling technique. An online survey questionnaire was administered, which covered various aspects of oral hygiene practices to prevent common oral diseases among children. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0. Statistical significance was accepted as p ≤0.05. Results of the study revealed no significant differences in oral health knowledge and practices based on age and gender. However, comparisons based on profession and roles showed a significant difference. Most participants agreed on the importance of regular oral hygiene practices. However, their opinions differed on certain oral hygiene practices, including the frequency of brushing and the timing of the first dental visit. This study underscores the importance of targeted education and interventions to improve oral health outcomes during the critical developmental phase of childhood.

Education and training on dental and oral health as well as clean and healthy lifestyle for children

Oral health status remains a pressing concern in Indonesia, demanding urgent attention. This stems from low public awareness and understanding of the significance of dental care, high treatment costs, and a tendency among dental practitioners to prioritize treatment over prevention. This community service initiative aimed to enhance knowledge, awareness, and promote healthy lifestyle habits among children in Dusun Pakelan, Desa Sumberarum, Moyudan, Sleman, DIY. The implementation method involved five stages: education and practice of Healthy Lifestyle and Behavior (PHBS), counseling and practice of oral health (KESGILUT), distribution of free toothbrushes and toothpaste, and group exercise. The outcomes revealed a 15.17% improvement in children's knowledge, awareness, and skills regarding oral cavity hygiene. Healthy lifestyle behaviors also witnessed an improvement, with an 8.95% increase in knowledge.