Journal of South Asian Association of Pediatric Dentistry

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VOLUME 4 , ISSUE 3 ( October-December, 2021 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Schoolteachers toward Their Oral Health in Nalgonda District, Telangana, India: A Cross-sectional Study

S Srikanth, Gowtham Pallamala, Mahali Sai Divya, Madhuri Allam, Rajendra Reddy E, Anil Marad, Anil Maradi

Citation Information : Srikanth S, Pallamala G, Divya MS, Allam M, Reddy E R, Maradi A, Marad A. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Schoolteachers toward Their Oral Health in Nalgonda District, Telangana, India: A Cross-sectional Study. J South Asian Assoc Pediatr Dent 2021; 4 (3):185-189.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10077-3103

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 07-01-2022

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2021; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background: Schoolteachers can motivate a large number of children and that offers an interactive way for children to learn good oral health habits. Hence, this study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the schoolteacher's oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices which can benefit the schoolchildren by improving the oral health of the child and a resultant disease-free mouth. Materials and methodology: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among Schoolteachers of Nalgonda district, Telangana. A structured questionnaire was formulated and sample of 226 Schoolteachers from both rural and urban areas were assessed. Data related to knowledge on oral health, attitude, and practice regarding their personal oral health was obtained. The obtained data was tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: About 59.3% teachers have knowledge that inappropriate and inadequate brushing may lead to gum diseases, but only 8% have conversance regarding the prevention of gum diseases. Whereas 11.9% insight regarding etiology and prevention of dental caries. Nearly 49.2% said that they have visited dentist in the last 6–12 months, 52.7% reported that they will visit the dentist only when they had pain. Around 60.6% of teachers never advised the parents of children to seek dental care. Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding oral hygiene measures among Schoolteachers were inadequate. Therefore health educational programs regarding the importance of oral health and the oral hygiene measures among Schoolteachers should be conducted.


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