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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Year : 2011  |  Volume : 1  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 115-118

Oral hygiene status, knowledge, attitude and practices of oral health among rural children of Kanchipuram District


1 Assistant Professor (Epidemiologist), Dept. of Community Medicine, Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Professor and Head, Dept. of Community Medicine, Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Correspondence Address:
V C Punitha
Assistant Professor (Epidemiologist), Dept. of Community Medicine, Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute , Enathur, Kanchipuram - 631 552, Tamil Nadu
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


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This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of rural children towards oral health and dental care as well as to assess the oral hygiene status among them. Children (n = 81) between the age group of 5 and 10, who attended the Government school in a village on the day of screening were recruited into the study. The subjects completed an interview schedule that aimed to evaluate young children's, knowledge and attitude. Oral hygiene status was measured using the oral hygiene index. Results: Forty-one (50.61%) children were aware about caries as one of the common problem associated with mouth and teeth and only one child was aware about gum disease. Though 58% children were aware that sweets and chocolates cause dental caries, they were not aware of the other major factors that cause dental problems and how it can be prevented. The participants' oral hygiene habits were found to be irregular, and children consulted the dentist only when there was pain (58.97%). Parents (48.14%) played an important role as a source of information to the children, than teachers (25.92%). The oral hygiene status was found to be fair (OHIs - 1.42) among these children and the proportion of children who had caries was 76.54%. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that children's, knowledge on dental health is poor. Children's, parents and teachers attitudes toward oral health and dental care need to be improved. Oral health educational packages for rural school children, their parents and school teachers are recommended.


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