Oral health care knowledge and practices of a group of deaf adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to determine the oral health care knowledge and practices of a group of deaf adolescents in Lagos.


METHODS
The study involved 50 students of Wesley School 1 for the Deaf, Lagos (26 males and 24 females, aged 10-19 years, mean 13.3 +/- 2.8). Information about previous dental care, oral hygiene, and snacking habits were obtained through a questionnaire and sign language by the teachers.


RESULTS
Only 12 percent of pupils had received dental care. Eight percent and 72 percent, respectively, gave correct answers to causes of tooth decay and bleeding gums. Ninety-four percent brushed their teeth once daily, with no significant sex difference (P > .05). Reported dental problems include bleeding gums (36%), tooth discoloration, and tooth decay. The majority of pupils (60%) preferred biscuits and soft drinks as snacks. More than 90 percent were willing to have a dental check-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The oral health knowledge and practices of this group of children will improve through a controlled school-based oral health education program.
Oredugba
Folakemi A
FA
Department of Child Dental Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. tored@nova.net.ng
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002182:Candy; D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D002648:Child; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities; D012737:Sex Factors; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000209:etiology; D014099:Toothbrushing