The knowledge and experience of personal and professional oral care among secondary school students in Ibadan.
OBJECTIVE
Many developing nations of the world have experienced an increase in the incidence and prevalence of oral diseases in the last few decades. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude as well as the experience of personal and professional oral care of secondary school students in Ibadan, in order to understand how to promote a better oral health habit amongst them.


METHODS
Questionnaires including items relating to knowledge, attitude as well as personal and professional oral care were administered to the subjects.


RESULTS
A total of 267 students from Ibadan North Local government area of Ibadan, Oyo state participated in the study. Of these 71.5% clean their mouth twice daily, only 4.1% of the students have used dental floss at least once before. 55.5% of them have been to the dentist before. Only 16.2% of those that have been to the dentist before went for a check. 6.7% of the students know that dental floss is an interdental cleaning device. About 75 % of the students believe that routine dental check-up helps in maintaining a good oral health while about 22 % were of the opinion that it is not necessary or that it is burdensome.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, there is the need for oral health education and promotion that links healthy behaviours and habits to the general well being of individuals because as seen from this study, knowledge is not enough to motivate individuals to adopt a healthy behaviour.
Dpt of Oral Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
B F
BF
Adeyemi
B M
BM
Kolude
A O
AO
Lawal
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires