IADR Abstract Archives

Assessing Iranian Children's Knowledge and Practice of Caries-preventive Methods

Objectives: A Primary School Oral Health Program was designed and implemented by IRI MOH and the ministry of education to improve and promote the oral health of 6- to 12-year-old Iranian children. The program was initiated in 1999-2000, and after four years (2004), an evaluation was needed, so one aspect of this program, the state of knowledge and practice of children about methods of dental caries prevention, was assessed.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 750 12-year-old children, clustered in 50 rural and urban regions. Direct observation and a questionnaire were used to gather information. Knowledge about the children's brushing, flossing, sugar consumption, regular dental visits, fluoride usage, and fissure sealants, in addition to their brushing and flossing methods, was considered. The data were analyzed by SPSS software.

Results: Except for brushing, with about 92.7%, children's knowledge about other caries-preventive methods was not optimal. In contrast, about 52.4% of the children were relatively ‘professional' in brushing, but they were not adequately able to floss and use fluoride appropriately.

Conclusions: The Primary School Oral Health Program should be revised, and oral health education programs for children should be reinforced to continue improvement of their oral health.


World Congress on Preventive Dentistry
2009 World Congress on Preventive Dentistry (Phuket, Thailand)
Phuket, Thailand
2009
30
Posters
  • Meschi, Marajneh  ( Shaheed Beheshti university, Tehran, N/A, Iran )
  • Moosavi Fatemi, Nadereh  ( Shaheed Beheshti university, Tehran, N/A, Iran )
  • Samadzadeh, Hamid  ( former Director of oral health office -Ministry of health, Tehran, N/A, Iran )
  • Shabani, Masoud  ( Ardebil university of medcal sciences, Ardebil, N/A, Iran )
    • Poster Session
    Theme II: Community Participation for Oral Health Promotion and Evaluation
    09/08/2009