Extent of dental awareness prevailing among primary government school students – Mathur, a pre and post awareness questionnaire Study

The aim of this study was to assess the dental awareness prevailing among primary government school students. A cross-sectional school-based study design was carried out. School children from Mathur primary government school were involved in this study. Data were collected by using structured pre and post questionnaires. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate the dental awareness of primary school children regarding their oral health and dental treatment. This study included 300 primary school students from Mathur, Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu. Data were analyzed. Before awareness programme majority of sample 230 (78%) had average level of knowledge, 62(20%) poor level of knowledge and only 8 (2%) had good level of knowledge regarding Dental hygiene. After structured awareness programme 68% students had average and 32% had good level of knowledge and no one had poor level of knowledge regarding dental hygiene. It was concluded that knowledge and practice about oral health among study participants were poor before awareness and much more improved after awareness programme. Therefore, comprehensive oral health educational programs for both children and their parents are required to achieve more knowledge regarding dental and oral health.