[Oral health behavior in students in north Lebanon].
We conducted a study of the state of oral health among 600 twelve-year-old schoolchildren in North Lebanon. We assessed the range of behaviours linked to dental health: dental hygiene, eating habits, use of fluoride and use of dental health services. Half of the students brushed their teeth at least once a day. For 74% of the children, it was mainly their mothers who taught them how to brush their teeth. Toothbrushes and toothpaste were used by 75% of the children. About 82% had heard of fluoride but only 58% understood its usefulness. Four out of five children drank sugared drinks on a daily basis and 83% said that they had never been to the dentist. The information can serve as a basis for the development and implementation of health promotion and education programmes for oral health within schools.
Université libanaise, Faculté de Santé publique, Hôpital de Tripoli, Tripoli, Liban.
W K
WK
Kalaajieh
A C
AC
Rima
D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D003906:Developing Countries; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009909:Oral Health; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data