To Assess the Knowledge and Expressed Practices of School Children Regarding Prevention of Dental Caries in Ambala, India

Dental caries among early childhood is major health problem in all over the word. 80% of school children affected with the problem of dental caries, so this study was undertaken to determine the level of knowledge and expressed practices of school children regarding dental caries.

A descriptive survey design was adopted with 103 school children of age group 3 to 6 years selected by purposive sampling technique from schools. Knowledge and practice was assessed using directive interview technique

Majority of school children (28.2%) had below average knowledge regarding dental caries followed by 35.9% school children had average level of knowledge. Only 28.3% had good level of knowledge, same in expressed practice, no school children had unfavorable expressed practice followed by 51.1% school children had moderately favorable practices regarding dental carries. This indicates that school children do not have knowledge and expressed practices up to the mark.

Findings further showed that there was no significant correlation between the knowledge and expressed practice scores of school children as evidenced by the computed r value (0.131) which is not significantly correlated at 0.05 level of significance. Computed chi square value of expressed practice score with all sample characteristics were find to be non-significant at 0.05 level of significance.

Study conclude that school children don't have adequate knowledge and good level of practices regarding prevention of dental caries. There is a need of education regarding dental hygiene.