title: Children's perception of caries and gingivitis as determinants of oral health behaviours: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between children's perception of caries and gingivitis and their oral health behaviours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants in this cross-sectional study were children aged 11-14 years. A questionnaire for measuring children's perceptions and behaviours was developed, validated and applied. Perceptions were analysed as predictors for behaviours using multiple logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 434 children (57% males) participated in the study. Half of them perceived caries as a disease and believed in visiting the dentist regularly regardless of dental need. More than 60% were unaware that gum bleeding is a sign of disease and only 60.7% believed that it requires a management. Being aware that gum bleeding is a sign of disease and that it requires treatment increased the odds of brushing 2.83 (OR = 2.83, 95% CI:1.33-6.12) and 2.1 (OR = 2.1, 95% CI:1.05-5.55) times, respectively. Children aware of importance of dental visits even without dental decay were 2.9 times more likely to visit the dentist regularly (OR = 2.86, 95% CI:1.25-5.75) and were 77% more likely to never miss a dental appointment (OR = 1.77, 95% CI:1.03-3.37).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Being aware that bleeding gum requires treatment was a determinant of toothbrushing habit. Improved perceived need for dental check-up regardless of dental problem may promote children's preventive dental attendance.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eisalhy
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.|Kuwait National School Oral Health Program, Salmiya, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Aishah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alsumait
authors.affiliation: Kuwait National School Oral Health Program, Salmiya, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Behzadi
authors.affiliation: Kuwait National School Oral Health Program, Salmiya, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Sabiha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Mutawa
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006470:Hemorrhage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing