A cross-sectional descriptive study on oral health promotion and knowledge of dental caries in 11 and 12 year-olds

Abstract

We performed a cross-sectional study in 90 students at Junior High School Manuel Fajardo Rivero who are seen in Manzanillo Municipal Dental Clinic in the period from September 2010 to September 2011, with the purpose of promoting oral health and raising the level of knowledge about dental caries in children between 11 and 12 years of age. The information was collected by physical examinations and a questionnaire was applied to the students. The variables included were patient age, sex, oral hygiene, cariogenic food intake, and oral hygiene and skill level. Poor oral hygiene and cariogenic food intake, together with second degree caries prevailed in the study group. We were able to raise the level of knowledge in these children.