title: Oral hygiene habits and attitudes in a school population in L'Aquila (Italy).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to analyse the results of a questionnaire submitted to students of the elementary schools in L'Aquila in order to understand their awareness of a correct caries prevention method by using fluoride.
  
  
  METHODS
  4th and 5th grade students of elementary schools in L'Aquila were submitted to a questionnaire; from a total of 1205 students, age ranging from 8 to 12, 1094 were questioned; 7 children 8 years old, 282 of 9, 555 of 10, 243 of 11, 8 of 12, and only 2 of 13, respectively (the last 2 were registered later at school because non-EU citizens).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the Italian population with a low incidence of dental decay, a relatively limited group, called 'high risk decay group', revealed a higher incidence of the pathology than the standard one.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a multiracial society, as ours, it is important to carry out an effective screening in order to recognize different categories of patients through simple questions inserted in the patient's case history.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, University of L'Aquila, School of Dentistry, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cerulli Mariani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Favaretti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fidanza
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gatto
mesh_terms: D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002638:Chewing Gum; D002648:Child; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002638:Chewing Gum; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides