title: [Cognitive ability regarding dental plaque and oral bacteria in schoolchildren: results from an interview research of primary and junior high school students].
abstract: The cognitive abilities regarding dental health terms, especially of dental plaque, were examined among schoolchildren. An interview of 112 primary and junior high school students was performed to test knowledge of the cause of dental caries and meaning of some dental health terms. Results indicate that most schoolchildren had difficulty understanding the correct meaning of dental plaque and oral bacteria. Some of them did not recognize the existence of oral bacteria, much less dental plaque. From these results, factors which may interfere with correct understanding of dental plaque were examined. Among them, inaccurate knowledge of existence of oral bacteria appears to be an important factor.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of School Education, Hyogo University of Teacher Education.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tashiro
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takaesu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003773:Dental Plaque; D005260:Female; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology