Educational needs related to oral health in the preschool grade

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries and periodontal disease are the most prevalent oral conditions, with a tendency to an increase in malocclusions. Health promotion is considered to be an educational process by which the community gains control of their health. Objective: Identify the educational needs related to oral health in the preschool grade. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Sagua la Grande during the school year 2017-2018. The study population was 326 children, 24 teachers and 326 families. The variable analyzed was educational needs related to oral health in the preschool grade. Results: It was found that educational actions related to oral health are not performed, nor is there an oral health training program for teachers or projects supporting it. Oral health is not included in the system of methodological work for the sector. Oral health contents are not discussed in management meetings or methodological preparation sessions. Teachers conduct a scant number of oral health educational actions. Knowledge about oral health was evaluated as poor in 74.23% of the children, 41.67% of the teachers and 47.24% of the families. Conclusions: It was found that oral health educational actions are not performed and knowledge about oral health is poor among children, teachers and families.

Keywords

• promoción de salud
• conocimientos
• salud bucal
• preescolares.