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INTRODUCTION: Good oral health care is important to maintaining healthy teeth, gums and tongue.
Oral problems including bad breath, dry mouth, gingivitis and caries are highly related to poor oral
health care. Oral diseases are more prevalent in children of school age. As teachers spend a lot of time
with those children, it is better that teachers have good oral health knowledge attitude and practice so
that they will shape the children during their development at primary school level and be able to carry
forward the behaviors imparted into adulthood.
AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of oral health
among primary school key teachers in Moshi urban district.
METHODOLOGY: This was a Questionnaire based cross- sectional descriptive study conducted from
June to July of 2016 involving primary school key teachers of Moshi urban district as participants. The
questionnaire containing both multiple choice and open ended questions was divided into four (4) parts
exploring the information on demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice of oral
health. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 20.
RESULTS: Concerning the cause of dental caries (tooth decay), 98(65.3%) knew that bacteria and the
use of sugary food causes tooth decay and more than half, 97(64.7%) of the respondents knew that tooth
decay can be effectively prevented by restricting sugary intake. Majority 109 (72.7%) of the responds
knew that lack of vitamin C would be the cause of bleeding per oral in a non-traumatized gum.
Appreciable number of the subjects 131 (87.3%) agree that brushing twice a day can help to prevent
periodontal diseases. Appreciable number of the participants 132 (88.0%) agreed that we should take
care of our teeth and gums in order to keep the teeth as long as possible. Concerning tooth brushing, all
of the participants, 150(100%) brush their teeth daily and more than half of the responds, 92 (61.3%)
brushes their teeth twice a day. Most of the key teachers, 82(54.7%) changes their toothbrushes after 1 to
3 months of use while 14 (9.3%) cannot decide. 97 (64.7%) of the key teachers tends to always rinse
their mouth with water after a meal. Appreciable number of the participants, 126 (84%) agreed that they
have ever visited a dentist while 88 (58.7%) of the key teachers said that tooth problems like pain was
their reason for visiting a dentist
CONCLUSION: The overall level of both knowledge, attitude and practice was moderately adequate but
not uniform among the participants.The knowledge was good and attitude more positive mostly in
teachers with certificate education category and those with more than 10 years of teaching experience.
Oral health practice was better among teachers with graduate degree and those with more than 10 years
of teaching experience. Although many of the participants were female, the level of knowledge, attitude
and practice was also higher in this group.Both need more awareness regarding oral health promotion to
have a positive role in school oral health education for their students in collaboration with oral health
care workers. |
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