A Study on Oral Hygiene among School Children in a Rural Area of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: Oral hygiene is defined as a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral sores, tooth decay, tooth loss and other diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity. The objective of the study was to find the knowledge, attitude and practice about oral hygiene among school children. Material and Methods: The study group comprised of 160 students who were in the age group of 12 to 15 years. Study was conducted in a school which comes under the service area of rural health centre. Data was collected and represented by means and frequency. Results: Study showed 53.1 % of students were brushing twice daily and remaining 46.9 % brushed once daily. Majority of the study subjects (92.5 %) were using tooth paste for brushing Conclusion: Finding of current study showed that the knowledge attitude practice about oral hygiene among school children were not satisfactory and had to improve significantly. Community based health promotion for oral hygiene is a must for improving oral health among school children.