title: Childhood Habits: Ignorance is not Bliss- A Prevalence Study.
abstract: Underneath the ignorance of adverse oral habits and general health practices in children proved to fetch harm, lies the basis and the motive in carrying out this study. This survey screened a total of 2636 children between the age group 4 and 15 years, residing in areas in South Kanara district and the prevalence of the adverse habits were assessed using a questionnaire and clinical examination. 526 students (19.95%) were found to be victims of adverse oral habits with nail biting being the most prevalent habit and bruxism, the least. Though the overall percentage of knowledge on basic body cleanliness was good, a small fraction weren't aware, thus posing the necessity of educating children right from home and school and thus ensuring that the health of ones child is safe and secure.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Children Dentistry, AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Amitha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: M Hegde
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Children Dentistry, AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: M Xavier
keywords: Children; lip biting; malocclusion; nail biting; prevalence; sucking.