CHANGING ORAL HEALTH BEHAVIORS AND KNOWLEDGE IN A GROUP OF SOCIO-ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SCHOOLCHILDREN IN BUCHAREST

Authors: Ruxandra SFEATCU, CHRISTINA Mihai, Radu ILINCA, Carmen NICOLAE, Ana Maria Cristina ȚÂNCU, Andreea DIDILESCU

Abstract:

Introduction: Schools are an ideal environment for health education, especially among disadvantaged groups, where access to dental services is limited. Materials and methods: The sample included 62 students (55% boys; average age 10.4 years ±1.38). They answered questionnaires regarding health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, and then attended an education lesson. Results and discussion: after the education lesson, almost 80% knew the role of fluoride. Students retained two prevention methods: 66.7% – sweets consumption and 45.5% – lack of tooth brushing. The students reported pain and absenteeism from school due to dental problems. The results show a low level of knowledge and an incorrect behavior towards oral hygiene and nutrition. Conclusions. The education lesson proved to be useful, many schoolchildren having changed for the better their attitude towards dental visits and brushing. There is still information that has not been retained, which requires repetition of the sanogenic message, along with involvement of parents and teachers.

Keywords:
  • behaviour
  • disadvantaged group.
  • education.
  • KNOWLEDGE
  • oral health
  • schoolchildren