Problems Associated with Oral Health and Knowledge of Causes and Prevention among Children of a Primary School of Meerut : An Interventional Study

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences,2013,3,4,875-881.
Published:November 2013
Type:Research Articles
Authors:
Author(s) affiliations:

Pawan Parashar1, Sartaj Ahmad2, Rahul Bansal3, Prachi Singh4, Mayur Kaushik5, Noopur Kaushik6, Roopesh7 

1Professor, Community Medicine, Department of Community Medicine Subharti Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. 

2Assistant Professor, Medical Sociology, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. 

3Professor and Head, Community Medicine, Department of Community Medicine Subharti Medical College Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. 

4Junior III Community Medicine, Department of Community Medicine Subharti Medical College Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. 

5Reader, Department of Periodontics, Subharti Dental College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. 

6Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics, Subharti Dental College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. 

7Lecturer in Statistics, Community Medicine, Department of Community Medicine Subharti Medical College Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Abstract:

Oral health is fundamental to general health and well being. Schools can provide a supportive environment for promoting oral health. The children tend to be more vulnerable to dental diseases due to social, economic and demographic factors like lack of awareness, limited access to professional dental care, lack of perceived need for dental care. The objectives of the study were: (1) To know their knowledge and attitude regarding oral hygiene status after educational session. (2) To assess the problems associated with oral health among children in Meerut. A total 112 Children between the age group of 5 and 13, who attended the Subharti Primary school were recruited into the study. The subjects completed an interview schedule that aimed to evaluate young children's, knowledge and attitude. Oral hygiene habits, oral health knowledge, awareness and practices among school children in peri-urban slum was poor and improved by educational session. Knowledge, attitude and practices among the children with regarding oral health was poor in peri urban school children. Children and their parents attitudes towards oral health and dental care need to be improved and school-based oral health education program should be recommended.

Oral Hygiene Practices among the children (n=112)