Meeting abstract
KNOWLEDGE, ATITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR OF ADOLESCENTS IN REGARD TO ORAL HEALTH
Anamarija Dragić
; Home for the Elderly and Disabled "Kap veselja" Kralja Tomislava 41, Eminovci, Pozega, Croatia
Božica Lovrić
orcid.org/0000-0002-2762-6439
; General County Hospital Požega, Osječka 107, Požega, Croatia
Jelena Tomac Jovanović
; High School Pakrac, Matije Gupca 10, Pakrac,Croatia
Tihomir Jovanović
; General County Hospital Pakrac and Hospital of Croatian Veterans, Bolnička ul. 74, Pakrac, Croatia
Abstract
Introduction: Dentooral health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a state of complete normal and functional dental ability.
Oral health is an important part of general health and affects the quality of life. Proper and regular oral hygiene is an important factor in the prevention of oral health.
Objectives: The goal was to test knowledge, attitudes and behavior of adolescents in regard to oral hygiene, to test whether there is a difference regarding sex, address and school they attend, and to determine predictors which negatively affect the dental status of adolescents.
Study structure: cross-sectional study
Methods: This study included 123 students who attend the medical, construction high school and gymnasium in Pakrac. As a research instrument an anonymous questioner containing 22 questions had been used.
Results: A highly larger proportion of examinees wash their teeth 1 – 2 times a day (p=<0,001), brush them 2 – 3 minutes (p=<0,001), use a classic toothbrush (p=<0,001), which they exchange every 2 – 3 months (p=<0,001), and do not use dental floss (p=<0,001). A highly larger proportion of examinees has no fear of dental interventions (p=<0,001), go to checkups every 6 months (p=<0,001), and have last visited the dentist for a regular checkup (p=<0,001). The female examinees go more often for regu-lar checkups (p=0,009), use dental floss more often (p=0,043), and wash their teeth more often than male examinees (p=0,009).
Conclusion: the results show that the examinees are informed about the importance of maintaining oral hygiene, however additional effort from the medical staff and the community is needed in order to promote and improve oral health.
Keywords
adolescents; teeth hygiene; oral health
Hrčak ID:
232953
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2019.
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