Self-reported knowledge and behaviors related to oral and dental health in Turkish children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to present oral- and dental health-related knowledge and behaviors of children who presented to Akdeniz University Medical Faculty Pediatric Outpatient Clinic between March 1 and May 1, 2006 for non-dental health reasons.


METHODS
Data were collected from a total of 173 children. A survey which contained questions about the children's oral and dental health was completed using face-to-face interview technique.


RESULTS
Forty-eight percent of the children were 5-6 years old and 68.8% were not going to school. It was determined that 43.3% of the mothers of the children in the study had a primary-school level of education and 74.6% were housewives. It also was determined that 49.1% of the children had never had a cavity, 43.4% stated that they brushed their teeth after meals, and 30.6% stated that they brushed at least once a day. More than sixty percent of the children spent their allowance on chocolate, chips, cola, candy, and other acidic drinks. A significant relationship was found between the children's ages and having a caries in this study. There also was a statistically significant relationship between the parents' tooth-brushing habit and the children's tooth brushing, and between the parents' frequency of tooth brushing and the children's frequency of tooth brushing.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of the study it is recommended that both children and their families be given education about oral and dental health.
Efe
Emine
E
Child Health Nursing Department, Akdeniz University, School of Health, Antalya, Turkey. eefe@akdeniz.edu.tr
Sarvan
Süreyya
S
Kukulu
Kamile
K
D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology