OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status of oral health knowledge, attitude, behavior of 12-15 years old children and provide a theoretical basis of prevention. METHODS: Multi-stage stratified sampling method was used to extract four middle school students from Chongqing districts and counties (2 in the main urban area and 2 suburbs), and their oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors were investigated through questionnaires. All data were entered using Epidata and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 3 902 valid questionnaires were collected. The proportion of people who had good brushing habits was 39.7% (1 548), the average oral health knowledge accuracy rate was 58.9%, and the average oral health positive attitude was 88.6%. The number of middle school students who attended the dental experience was 54.5% (2 127), and that of the school who received oral health education was 17.5% (681). There were gender and regional differences in brushing habits. CONCLUSIONS The knowledge and behavior of oral health among 12-15-year-old middle school students in Chongqing need to be improved. Oral health education for middle school students should be strengthened, especially in rural and suburban areas.
Adolescent ; Attitude to Health ; Child ; Health Behavior ; Health Education, Dental ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Oral Health ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Toothbrushing

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the association between the management of oral health and experiences of oral health education and to investigate the influential factors of the Patient Hygiene Performance (PHP) index in an area's university students. In addition, we explored the factors that influence the PHP index and how to effectively promote oral health. METHODS: All collected data were analyzed using the χ2 test, the t-test, and multiple regression using SPSS version 23.0 for Microsoft Windows. The statistical significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: The total age of 380 participants ranged from 18 to 39 years (mean 22.22±2.43). No significant differences were found in oral health status and experiences of oral health education. CONCLUSIONS: Active national-based policies to develop regular and systematic national oral health education programs are needed.
Education ; Health Behavior ; Health Education, Dental ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene

PURPOSE: This study was to identify health behavior, health service use, and health related quality of life of adult women in one-person and multi-person households. METHODS: It was used data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII-2017). Subjects were 2,522 women with age of 19 to 64 years in 2017. Complex sampling design and data analysis were performed using SPSS 20.1. RESULTS: Women in one-person households had higher rates of alcohol drinking (χ²=13.77, p=.003), smoking (χ²=16.07, p=.001), unmet medical care (χ²=8.77, p=.004) and non-practice of cancer screening (χ²=13.77, p=.003) compared to women in multi-person households. Health-related quality of life was also lower for women in one-person households (t=−2.46, p=.015). Factors affecting health-related quality of life in one-person households were household income, job status, and unmet dental care, having 32.4% explanatory power. One-person household women with low incomes, no jobs, and unmet dental care showed low health-related quality of life. In comparison, factors affecting health-related quality of life of women in multi-person household women were age, education level, unmet medical care, and unmet dental care, having 10.4% explaining power. Women in multi-person households with age of 60–64, low education level, unmet medical care, and unmet dental care showed low health-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: Health promotion strategies should be developed based on unique understanding of social, economic, and health of adult women in one-person and multi-person households.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Dental Care ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Education ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Health Promotion ; Health Services ; Humans ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys ; Quality of Life ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Statistics as Topic

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze correlations between depression, cognitive function, oral health state, ability to perform activities of daily living, oral dryness symptoms, and oral health-related quality of life, and determine factors influencing the latter.METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study based on questionnaires completed by 260 participants with suspected dementia, residing in South Korea. Psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and dental hygienists visited clinics in the participating regions for examination and questionnaire administration. General characteristics, the geriatric depression scale, ability to perform activities of daily living, cognitive function, oral health state, and oral health-related quality of life were analyzed. Independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted, identifying factors affecting oral health-related quality of life. Data analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 20.0 (IBM Corp., USA), and the significance was set at p<0.05.RESULTS: Approximately 65.0% of participants were female, 63.5% were in their 70s, and 90.0% had health insurance. About 21.5%, 42.0%, and 36.5% were normal, slightly impaired, and had dementia, respectively. High cognitive impairment was associated with poor oral health. Sex, education levels, marital status, and living arrangements influenced oral health-related quality of life. According to the regression analysis, geriatric depression and oral dryness affected the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index scores.CONCLUSION: In conclusion, oral dryness and depression levels among elders influenced oral health-related quality of life. The results showed that to enhance elders' oral health-related quality of life, it is essential to not only improve their oral health state, but also relieve oral health problems, especially oral dryness, and take into consideration their psychological aspects.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dementia ; Dental Hygienists ; Depression ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Marital Status ; Oral Health ; Psychiatry ; Quality of Life ; Residence Characteristics ; Statistics as Topic

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate allergic rhinitis and the relationship between allergic diseases, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, and dental caries and periodontal disease using the raw data from third year of the 6th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.METHODS: A total of 3,729 subjects aged over 30 years who underwent examination for allergic diseases and an oral health checkup were selected. The data were analyzed using SPSS IBM SPSS ver. 25.0 (IBM Corp., USA). Composite sample cross correlation and composite sample logistic regression analyses were performed using the composite sample general linear model.RESULTS: On examining the socioeconomic characteristics of the subjects suffering from allergic disease and the relationship between allergic disease and oral health, allergic rhinitis was more frequently found in younger subjects with a higher level of education. Periodontal disease and dental caries were more frequent among female, older age groups, lower income earners, and subjects with a lower level of education (p<0.05). On examining the relationship between the oral health characteristics of the subject and allergic diseases and oral health, allergic rhinitis was more common in subjects with a good oral health status perception than those who answered “bad” to the oral health status question. The community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) score was higher in subjects who answered “poor” to the oral health status question, lower frequency of brushing, and higher in subjects using secondary oral hygiene products; the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index was higher in subjects with a perception of poor oral health status (p<0.05). The DMFT index was high in the asthma group, and the CPITN score was high in the group who answered “no” to allergic rhinitis.CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between asthma and allergic rhinitis and the DFMT index and CPITN score. Corresponding oral programs for allergic patients need to be developed.
Asthma ; Dental Caries ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Nutrition Surveys ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontal Index ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Tooth

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the awareness of the students currently attending dental colleges/schools in Seoul regarding the scope of work done by a dental hygienist (DH) and a chair-side dental assistant (DA).METHODS: A direct questionnaire survey was conducted among 950 students who currently attend dental colleges/schools in Seoul. We were able to use a total of 458 samples for final analysis after excluding inappropriate ones. The contents of this structuralized survey included the obligation of proper name badge use for dental health care personnel, the legal work scopes of a DH and a DA in accordance with the revised execution of the ‘Legal Acts on Medical Technicians’, and the inclusion/exclusion of such contents from dental colleges/schools curricula. The results were statistically analyzed via the IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0 software.RESULTS: Many subjects were aware of the difference in scope of work performed by a DH and a DA (P < 0.001), but not their legal obligation to wear appropriate name badges in accordance with the ‘Proposal for the Establishment of the Name Badge Standards for Healthcare Practitioners'. The subjects generally showed higher comprehension of the scope of work performed by a DH (74.3%) than that performed by a DA (57.7%). Without the presence of any corresponding curriculum, accurate responses tended to increase with the students' seniority. Most students (94.4%) agreed with the need to include a class that teaches the scope of work performed by a DH and a DA in their school curricula.CONCLUSIONS: We have found that education regarding ‘Name Badge Standards for Healthcare Practitioners’ and classification of a dental assistant's scope of work is lacking in the existing curriculum. Therefore, it is necessary to establish additional curriculum.
Classification ; Comprehension ; Curriculum ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dental Assistants ; Dental Hygienists ; Education ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Seoul ; Students, Dental

OBJECTIVES: There is currently little research on dental hygienists' interest and need related to oral care. To perform elderly oral care effectively, dental hygienists must understand the features of aging in the elderly. The purpose of this study is to investigate how dental hygienists' interest affects oral care for the elderly.METHODS: 232 dental hygienists completed a self-reported questionnaire from March to April 2019. The questionnaires consisted of general characteristics of the subjects (6 items), elderly patient experience (11 items), and questions regarding aging (7 items). This study analyzed collected data by frequency analysis, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis.RESULTS: Correlation analysis between concern, need, and participation in elderly oral care showed a significant amount of correlation among all variables. We found that gender (P=0.022), education level (P=0.029), workplace type (P=0.002), and the proportion of future elderly patients were statistically significant (P=0.001) factors affecting the level of concern.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that experience in treating and caring for the elderly are essential factors for raising the interest and understanding of oral health care for elderly patients. Therefore, we should consider the development of various programs to raise interest in oral health for the elderly.
Aged ; Aging ; Dental Hygienists ; Education ; Humans ; Oral Health

This study investigates the relationship between smoking and periodontal disease through quantitative analysis of intra-buccal oral pathogenic bacteria detected in smokers and aims to yield objective baseline data for applications in anti-smoking and dental health education programs. From April to May 2016, participants in an oral health management program within an intensive dental hygiene training course at Choonhae College of Health Sciences received an explanation of the study purposes and methods, after which male smokers aged 18~30 years agreed to participate voluntarily. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of oral pathogenic bacteria was performed after collecting gingival sulcus fluid samples from 67 smokers. The intra-buccal oral pathogenic bacteria distributions were analyzed based on the subjects' general characteristics, smoking behaviors, and oral care behaviors. The distribution results show that pathogens in the anterior teeth are affected (in this order) by age, toothbrush size, and smoking status; older people had fewer pathogens, those who used larger toothbrushes had more pathogens, and smokers had more pathogens, compared to non-smokers ((adj)R²=19.1). In the posterior teeth, pathogens were influenced (in this order) by smoking status, smoking duration, and the number of tooth brushings per day; smokers had more pathogens than non-smokers, and those who brushed their teeth more often had fewer pathogens ((adj)R²=25.1). The overall pathogen distribution was affected only by smoking status: smokers generally had more pathogens, compared to non-smokers. Therefore, it is necessary to provide information about the risk of periodontal disease due to smoking during anti-smoking or dental health education sessions; particularly, the use of smaller toothbrushes for anterior teeth and the need for smokers in their early twenties to quit smoking for dental health should be highly emphasized.
Bacteria ; Health Education, Dental ; Humans ; Male ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Diseases ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tooth

PURPOSE: The aim of the present investigation was to understand the incidence, prevalence of denture stomatitis in denture wearers, who were over 60 years old, and use the results for a fundamental data to promote public awareness about denture stomatitis and its education tools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 21 to September 8 2017, 500 denture wearers, who were more than 60 years old in Seoul and 4 other metropolitan cities (Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon), received questionnaires. The questionnaires included denture wearers' demographic distributions, specific dental treatment experiences, discomforts with current dentures, their oral health conditions, and the method of denture cleansing. RESULTS: Thirty-two percent of 500 denture wearers responded that they have healthy oral conditions. Two hundred and eight respondents (41.6%) were aware of denture stomatitis. Only 131 (26.2%) were informed about the removable denture covered by national health insurance and 327 (65.4%) of denture wearers were using the improper denture cleansing methods. CONCLUSION: A large number of denture wearers still do not recognize the importance of proper treatment for denture stomatitis, insurance covered denture treatments, and adequate denture cleansing methods.
Daegu ; Dental Restoration Wear ; Dentures* ; Education ; Gwangju ; Incidence ; Insurance* ; Methods* ; National Health Programs ; Oral Health* ; Prevalence ; Seoul ; Stomatitis, Denture ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of providing toothbrushing by professionals as part of oral hygiene education for the elderly. We randomly visited 12 centers in the metropolitan city and analyzed the data of 114 participants among 310 early registrants aged >65 years, who participated in the study at all 3 time points. The subjects were categorized into an experimental group (odd-numbered visits) and a control group (even-numbered visits). Oral hygiene practices were provided for both experimental and control groups, but professional toothbrushing was performed in a different manner in the experimental group. Differences in plaque index (PI) according to the subjects' general characteristics and oral health status were assessed using the t-test, and the effect of PI difference between the experimental and control groups was assessed by repeated measure two-way analysis of variance. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to analyze factors affecting the PI. At baseline, the mean overall PI was 61.82. In both experimental and control groups, the PI significantly reduced from the baseline (p <0.01). At 5 weeks, the experimental group showed a decrease of 27.16 points from the baseline, and the 10-week PI was similar to the 5-week PI. The control group showed a decrease of 14.87 points from the baseline, and the PI increased by 5.74 points at 10 weeks. PI-related factors were gender and self-xerostomia. The PI was lower in the female group and the group with self-xerostomia (p <0.01). It is important to select an appropriate method to educate elderly subjects on proper removal of dental plaque and to habituate correct behavior, which requires inclusion of a direct toothbrushing intervention by a specialist.
Aged* ; Dental Plaque ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Methods ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Specialization ; Toothbrushing*