Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Many developing nations of the world have experienced an increase in the incidence and prevalence of oral diseases in the last few decades. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude as well as the experience of personal and professional oral care of secondary school students in Ibadan, in order to understand how to promote a better oral health habit amongst them.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Questionnaires including items relating to knowledge, attitude as well as personal and professional oral care were administered to the subjects.
RESULTS
A total of 267 students from Ibadan North Local government area of Ibadan, Oyo state participated in the study. Of these 71.5% clean their mouth twice daily, only 4.1% of the students have used dental floss at least once before. 55.5% of them have been to the dentist before. Only 16.2% of those that have been to the dentist before went for a check. 6.7% of the students know that dental floss is an interdental cleaning device. About 75 % of the students believe that routine dental check-up helps in maintaining a good oral health while about 22 % were of the opinion that it is not necessary or that it is burdensome.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there is the need for oral health education and promotion that links healthy behaviours and habits to the general well being of individuals because as seen from this study, knowledge is not enough to motivate individuals to adopt a healthy behaviour.

Authors

Adeyemi BF, Kolude BM, Lawal AO

Institution

Dpt of Oral Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Source

Odonto-stomatologie tropicale = Tropical dental journal 35:137 2012 Mar pg 5-11

MeSH

Adolescent
Child
Dental Care
Dental Devices, Home Care
Female
Health Education, Dental
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Nigeria
Oral Hygiene
Questionnaires
Social Class

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22715638