Oral Health Care Behavior among Grades 4-6 Primary School Students at Ban Muangnadee School, Somsa-ad Subdistrict, Detudom District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This study aimed to examine oral health care behaviors and associated factors among 144 primary school students in grades 4 to 6 at Ban Muang Nadi school, Somsaat subdistrict, Det Udom district, Ubon Ratchathani province. Research instruments used in this study were a structured questionnaire and an oral health assessment record. Statistical methods used included frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, minimum and maximum values, and correlations. Findings indicated that overall oral health care behavior was at a moderate level (=3.41, SD=0.80) and dietary behavior was also at a moderate level (=2.85, SD=0.98). Personal factors significantly associated with the oral health care behaviors included parental educational level. Factors significantly related to the behaviors included: predisposing factors, including knowledge, perception, and attitude towards oral health care;  enabling factors, including number of oral care tools, access to tools and services, and receipt of oral health information; and reinforcing factors, including receiving social support. These factors showed a low positive correlation with oral health care behaviors at p<0.001 with r=0.240, 0.250, 0.319, and 0.356, respectively. On the other hand, gender and parental occupation showed no significant relationship with oral health care behaviors (p=0.47 and 0.33, respectively). It is recommended that providing guidance from healthcare professionals, establishing designated tooth brushing areas, and encouraging students to form health-related groups or clubs would effectively promote better oral health care behaviors among schoolchildren.