KNOWLEDGE AND ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICES

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to examine the knowledge and Oral hygiene behaviors of primary school pupils in Oredo LGA. To guide this study, five research questions were raised. The survey research design was used in conducting the study. The main instrument for the study was a self-structured questionnaire.

The population of the study was 200. The validity of the instrument was established by giving it to the supervisor and two other experts in the field of the research study. The reliability of the instrument was established using the split-half method of reliability which yielded a Coefficient of  0.827. The data obtained from the questionnaires were subjected to analysis using frequency counts and percentages. Results from the study from 200 respondents showed that the primary school pupils in Oredo LGA, have moderate knowledge of Oral hygiene and that about half of them practice good oral hygiene.

At the end of the study, it was  recommended that  Health practitioners need to change the public perception of oral hygiene behavior. Many people do not consider oral hygiene as important to their overall health and fail to understand the role it plays in preventing future diseases, schools and teachers (health education) should effectively communicate the importance of oral health and hygiene and its impact on the body when teaching the pupils, which will encourage people to visit the dentist and thus prevent future diseases and parents should encourage their children to maintain good oral health practices by brushing and flossing their teeth daily as these can improve the overall health of pupils.