title: [Oral health--the status of knowledge 1985. An analysis of a repeated survey of 761 Swiss recruits].
abstract: Concurrent with an epidemiological study, 761 military recruits were questioned about their attitudes towards dentists, dental treatment and oral hygiene habits. In addition, their knowledge of periodontal diseases and their prevention was evaluated, as were their smoking and snacking habits. Such recruits had been similarly questioned 11 years previously. Both the present and the previous studies showed that the recruits had a very positive attitude towards their dentitions, expressing a defined desire for good oral health. Oral hygiene habits, particularly daily toothbrushing, improved during the decade and were graded as acceptable. However, the recruits generally had a poor impression of dentists and their individual treatments. The number of recruits presenting for the emergency treatment of pain increased by 20%. Of this group, recruits who only sought dental checkups sporadically increased four times compared to the previous study. Confirming results of the previous study, knowledge of periodontal diseases and its prevention were poor. This may indicate a lack of clearly explained information by the dental teams which previously and presently treated these recruits. The development of a consumer society was expressed by the increased snacking habits. In contrast to what was expected, the information about dental diseases and the motivation of recruits by dental personnel and in the schools to better dental health should be improved.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oes
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lutz
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D015438:Health Behavior; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland
vernacular_title: Orale Gesundheit--Wissensstand 1985. Analyse einer erneuten Umfrage bei 761 Schweizer Rekruten.