Self-assessed dental health and health behaviours in Chinese urban adolescents

Objectives: To describe perceived dental health status and oral health-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in Chinese adolescents, to assess the associations of oral health variables with socio-economic status and school performance, and to analyse the relative effect of socio-behavioural risk factors on perceived dental health, perceived need for dental care and experience of dental symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 2662 adolescents was conducted in eight capital cities in China. The study population was chosen by a multistage cluster sample design and covered three age groups: 11, 13 and 15 years. Data on dental and general health were collected by use of self-administered questionnaires. Results: Self-assessment of dental health of Chinese adolescents was generally good. Positive attitudes towards dental care were found in all age groups; two thirds of adolescents brushed their teeth at least twice a day and nearly half of the students used fluoridated toothpaste. Only one fourth visited a dentist during the past 12 months. In all, 6 per cent of the adolescents had tried cigarette smoking at least once and 41 per cent reported having tasted alcohol drinks. Among the Chinese adolescents studied, the interrelationship between oral and general health behaviours was somewhat weak. Self-reported dental health status was associated with gender, age, unhealthy lifestyles, school performance and socio-economic status. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the establishment of school-based oral health promotion programmes in China is urgently needed, and oral health should be integrated with other school health actions.