Oral Health inSchoolchildren in the District of Frýdek-Místek in 1997 and 1999. II. part.Preventive Behavior, Fluoride Intake and Attitudes to Oral Care

Overview

The monitoring of oral health of schoolchildren aged 12–14 years during the threeyears intervention aimed at increasing the iodine and fluoride intake was accompanied bya questionnaire inquiry to oral health behavior, attitudes to oral care and fluoride intake.Results showed that the intervention increased the frequency of dental examinations and thepercentage of preventive services during dental visits. The oral health knowledge increased,especially due to the increased role of oral health education in schools. The most of childrenused fluoridated toothpastes and the percentage of children using fluoridated mouthwashesrose. In the onset of intervention only 6 % of children were given fluoridated tablets and thiscount even decreased during the study. The same payed for the implementation of fluoridated salts in families. Drinking habits showed changing trend towards the preference of bottledwaters, cola and mineral waters from tea and lemonades. The administration of fluoride tabletsand the anxiety to dental treatment correlated positively with the value of DMFT.

Key words:
preventive program – oral health behavior – fluoride intake – age 12–14 years– questionnaire