KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF ORAL HYGIENE AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate oral hygiene knowledge and habits among elementary school students in the Egor local government area of Edo State. The objective was to assess the students' level of oral hygiene knowledge and practice, identify the factors impacting oral hygiene, and assess the students' attitudes toward oral hygiene in the Egor local government region. The evocative The study used a survey research design, and the sample population was chosen from five schools in the Egor local government using a simple random selection technique. From a total of 33,920 students, one hundred and eighty were selected as a representative sample for the study. Information on the causes and effects of premarital sex was gathered using a questionnaire with fifteen (15) items. A total of 180 students were chosen at random to complete the questionnaire. The results from the population under research indicated that the majority of students had sufficient knowledge of the causes and prevention of dental caries and gingival disease. A quarter of the students had primarily experienced dental caries, followed by gingival disease, which was characterized by rural-urban disparities. The majority of the students selfreported brushing their teeth with fluoridated toothpaste using mostly plastic toothbrushes rather than chewing sticks. In light of the study's findings, the researcher makes the following recommendations: better oral hygiene instruction should be provided in primary schools, oral hygiene practical classes should be held, parents should ensure that their children follow good oral hygiene habits, and parents should buy their kids toothpaste they like.