KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF DENTAL HYGIENE AMONG PRIMARY

SCHOOL PUPIL IN CALABAR MUNICIPALITY .

CHAPTER 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND

Oral disease is considered a global health challenge owing to it high prevalence and effect on
both social and physical wellbeing of the individual . Oral hygiene is considered to be an
important part of a child’s overall health. A healthy mouth enables a child to speak , eat and
socialize without experiencing any active disease, discomfort or embarrassment (stallen 2005).
The world health organization (WHO) defines oral health as a state of being free from chronic
mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sore periodontal(gum)
disease , tooth decay, tooth loss and other disease and disorders that limits an individual
capacity in biting , chewing, smiling ,speaking, and psychosocial wellbeing. Knowledge
according to latan and sharma is the ability to acquire, retain, and use information. While
practice means the application of rules and knowledge that leads to action.
On the other hand oral hygiene can be described as the practice of keeping the mouth and
teeth clean and also absteinance from practices that puts the oral cavity at risk of dental
problems. Oral hygiene is an essential prerequisite for good oral health and should be
encouraged amongst primary school pupils .The knowledge and practice of dental hygiene can
be easily associated with socio-economic factors and standard of living.it is also imperative to
note how debilitating oral diseases and disorders could be leading to disruption in child’s daily
activities and education. Children who have assimilated the knowledge and feel the sense of
personal control over their oral health are more likely to adopt self care practices( al ansan
2011). It is therefore important to educate and inculcate the habit of good oral practice to
children of primary school age.
1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Ignorance concerning oral disease and oral health can be a significant aetiology for the
prevalence of oral disease. It has been shown that primary school children have low levels
of oral health awareness and practice as compared to their high school counterparts
(Mishra,2004). A large number of school student in developing countries suffer from tooth
decay and have limited access to oral health care services. According to stone in 2010
dental caries presented a major problem for people in developed countries affecting 60-
90% of school children compared to those of the developed countries. However during the
past few decades ,the prevalence of dental caries has declined in many developed
countries reverse is happening in the developing countries (Kasilaet, al 2006).Oral health
education has been part of primary school curriculum in many developing countries and
implemented by teachers at primary schools(khan 2010) HOWEVER the oral health
education session addressed oral hygiene by lectures and it was observed to be deficient in
content and in methods(khans2013).it is also important to note the role of parent on the
knowledge and practice of dental hygiene as this can be a significant determinant to the
knowledge and practice of dental hygiene among primary school pupil. As we go further
into this study we will further explore the role of parent on dental hygiene. It is important
to understand the level of knowledge and practice of good oral hygiene amongst primary
school pupils, as this can be useful in planning and framing of educational and health
policies which will further improve the knowledge and practice of oral hygiene amongst
primary school pupil. It also maximizes the the potential outcome of resources available for
preventive programs, including oral health prevention programs (amiwaju et al 2011). The
level and knowledge of oral health practice of primary school pupil is worthy of
investigation as this will only improve oral health practice amongst this group.

1.2 PURPOSE OF STUDY

The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and practice of dental hygiene among
primary school pupil.
Aim/general objective include;
1 Assess the level of knowledge of dental hygiene among primary school pupil.
2 Assess the level of practice of dental hygiene among primary school pupil.
3 Assess the factors associated with practice of dental hygiene.
Specific objective are;
What is the level of knowledge of dental hygiene among primary school pupil?
What is the level of practice of dental hygiene among primary school pupil?
What are the factors associated with practice of dental hygiene among primary school pupil?

1.3 JUSTIFICATION
This study will offer an insight into the level of awareness this group of school children posses
concerning dental health. It will add to the existing wealth of knowledge on dental
practice ,knowledge, practice and behaviors. Further more this study will guide and inform
healthcare policy makers and educational curriculum builders to improve on policies, teaching
technique and methods which will in turn help to achieve a better outcome in the knowledge
and practice of dental health among primary school pupil.