School Teacher's Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Oral Health in Ballabhgarh Block, Faridabad

School teachers have an important role in oral health promotion and improvement of oral health in school children. Positive attitude, knowledge and practices in school teachers are, therefore important. The present study aims at assessing oral health related knowledge, attitude and practices of school teachers in Ballabhgarh, India.

A cross sectional survey of school teachers was conducted among school teachers of Ballabhgarh urban area. A 20-item close-ended questionnaire to assess oral health related knowledge, attitude and practices were administered to those who consented to participate. The data was assessed in SPSS Version 21 for means, frequency, distribution and descriptive statistics.

The total number of participants was 294 (91.8%) with the mean age of 28–45 years. It was found in the present study that 55.44% of the participants had visited the dentist in the past one year. Majority of teachers had correct knowledge of oral cleaning aids, however a large number of participants had inadequate knowledge about causes and prevention of gum disease.

School teachers should be trained in this work and they should further educate the parents as well as the school going children about the oral health. Their knowledge should be assessed regularly and further changes in the program should be done in the school oral health program.