title: Oral health-related knowledge, attitudes and habits in relation to perceived oral symptoms among 12-year-old school children.
abstract: Objective The aim of the study was to investigate oral health-related knowledge, attitudes and habits and their relationship to perceived oral symptoms among 12-year-olds and differences between boys and girls. Material and methods The study population consisted of children (n = 588) in 15 randomly selected elementary schools in Turku, Finland. Associations between oral health-related habits, knowledge and attitudes with perceived oral symptoms and gender differences were evaluated with χ(2)-test, Mann-Whitney U-test and logistic regression analysis. Results Oral health promoting habits but not knowledge or attitudes associated significantly with absence of oral symptoms. Girls reported a higher percentage of several health promotional habits than boys. Girls reported more frequently gingival bleeding and less frequently dental calculus than boys did. The most common oral symptom was gingival bleeding. Conclusions The present findings suggest some gender-related differences in oral health habits, attitudes, as well as perceived oral symptoms in 12-year-olds. There seems, however, not to be gender differences in relation to knowledge or the association of health habits with perceived oral symptoms. It is important to maintain health promotion at schools and additional efforts should be aimed at translating knowledge into action.
authors.affiliation: a Oral Health Care, Welfare Division , City of Turku, Turku , Finland ;|b Department of Public Health , University of Turku , Turku , Finland ;
authors.forename: Marja-Leena
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mattila
authors.affiliation: c Department of Community Dentistry , University of Turku , Turku , Finland ;|d FinnBrain Study Group Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku , Turku , Finland.
authors.forename: Mimmi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tolvanen
authors.affiliation: c Department of Community Dentistry , University of Turku , Turku , Finland ;
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kivelä
authors.affiliation: c Department of Community Dentistry , University of Turku , Turku , Finland ;
authors.forename: Kaisu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pienihäkkinen
authors.affiliation: c Department of Community Dentistry , University of Turku , Turku , Finland ;
authors.forename: Satu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lahti
authors.affiliation: a Oral Health Care, Welfare Division , City of Turku, Turku , Finland ;
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merne-Grafström
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000523:psychology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000523:psychology; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000523:psychology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D012309:Risk-Taking; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000523:psychology; D014098:Toothache / Q000523:psychology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides
keywords: Adolescents; health behaviour; oral health-related problems