Knowledge about Oral Hygiene among Adolescents in Sindhuli district

Abstract

Oral health is one of the major public health problem as the burden of disease is increasing in low and middle income country. Studies shows that prevalence of dental caries and gum disease is high in case of Nepal and doctor patient ratio for oral hygiene is low despite the fact that oral hygiene is taken as one of the basic health care. In order to assess the status of knowledge about oral health and association between socio demographic factors and oral hygiene, the research study was carried out. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 268 adolescents studying in two public schools of Sindhuli district. Results shows that majority of adolescent believe on proper use of brushing and flossing leading to prevention from gum disease. Despite this believe, adolescents were found to be unaware about the time of changing brush. Some of the adolescents were found to deny vising dentist for oral checkup and some of them were unaware about the dental care practices. Overall, the knowledge about oral hygiene were found to be lower and there was no significant association between socio demographic characteristics and oral health.