Original scientific paper
Hygienic Habits of Oral Health Care in a Defined Sample of Urban Population
Mario Štambuk
; Samostalna stomatološka ordinacija u Zagrebu, Hrvatska
Jadranka Štefanac-Papić
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Zdravko Rajić
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Dario Štambuk
; Samostalna stomatološka ordinacija u Zagrebu, Hrvatska
Abstract
The aim o f this study was to assess the existing hygienic habits o f oral health care in a defined sample o f urban population. The sample consisted o f 534 subjects, 396 females and 138 males, aged 9-51 years. Data were collected using the questionnaire method performed by qualified poll-takers. Six questions on oral cavity hygiene were chosen for primary data processing. Results are presented as answers expressed in percentages and in 5 graphs. Statistical processing was performed. The following conclusions were made: (1) most subjects believe that brushing the teeth twice daily is quite enough (77.5% o f answers); (2) reporting on brushing the teeth after each meal was inadequately represented (36.4%), although most subjects were aware they should have done it (70.2%); and (3) as the factor o f ignorance was ruled out, it appeared that the study subjects did not brush their teeth at least 3 times daily, i.e. after each meal, because in our society caries and unbrushed teeth have not yet been considered a consequence o f the lack o f hygiene. This finding pointed to the need o f intensified activities to improve the people's general understanding o f the importance o f oral hygiene.
Keywords
oral hygiene; oral health; pool
Hrčak ID:
100561
URI
Publication date:
15.3.1992.
Visits: 1.582 *