Oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of adults: Findings from a National Oral Health Survey in Singapore

IF 1.8 3区医学 Q2 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE

Community dentistry and oral epidemiology Pub Date : 2024-02-13 DOI:10.1111/cdoe.12947

Mun Loke Wong, Yun Hui Lee, Yu Fan Sim, Tzu-Jung Wong, Shean Han Soh, Bee Tin Goh, Choy Yoke Poon, Patrick Finbarr Allen, Kee Seng Chia, Christina P. C. Sim

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

Prevention complements the curative management of oral diseases. Effective preventive interventions involve the adoption of oral health promoting behaviours. Little is known about the awareness of oral disease and its prevention among Singaporean adults as well as their prevailing oral health attitudes and behaviours. The aim of the study was to describe the oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of adults in Singapore.

Methods

A random sample of adults (≥21 years old) in Singapore was selected to complete an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire gathered information about their knowledge of the aetiology, signs and symptoms as well as prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease; attitudes about the value of teeth, locus of control in maintaining oral health and oral health behaviours including toothbrushing, flossing and dental attendance.

Results

A total of 1196 adults of weighted mean age 48 years old with almost equal proportions of males and females responded to the questionnaire. Participants were more unaware about the causes of periodontal disease (25.7%) than dental caries (4%). While more than 90% of participants felt that healthy teeth were important and could affect their overall health, many (67.0%) felt it was natural to lose their teeth with old age. Among the participants, 83.5% brushed their teeth twice a day; 41.9% flossed their teeth and 53.9% visited the dentist at least once a year.

Conclusions

The study findings showed good knowledge around dental caries but some gaps around periodontal disease. It also found that participants perceived having limited control over preventing tooth loss. Irregular dental attendance and poor denture wearing habits were also noted. The findings shed light on key areas to focus on through oral health promotion to improve overall oral health.

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成年人的口腔健康知识、态度和行为：新加坡全国口腔健康调查的结果。

目的：预防是口腔疾病治疗的补充。有效的预防干预措施包括采取促进口腔健康的行为。人们对新加坡成年人对口腔疾病及其预防的认识，以及他们普遍存在的口腔健康态度和行为知之甚少。本研究旨在描述新加坡成年人的口腔健康知识、态度和行为：方法：随机抽取新加坡成年人（≥21 岁）填写由访问者主持的调查问卷。问卷收集的信息包括：对龋齿和牙周病的病因、症状和体征以及预防的了解；对牙齿价值的态度；保持口腔健康的控制力；口腔健康行为，包括刷牙、使用牙线和看牙医：共有 1196 名成年人回答了问卷，加权平均年龄为 48 岁，男女比例几乎相等。与龋齿（4%）相比，参与者更不了解牙周病的病因（25.7%）。虽然超过 90% 的参与者认为健康的牙齿很重要，会影响他们的整体健康，但许多人（67.0%）认为随着年龄的增长，牙齿脱落是很自然的事情。在参与者中，83.5%的人每天刷牙两次；41.9%的人使用牙线清洁牙齿；53.9%的人每年至少看一次牙医：研究结果表明，参加者对龋齿的了解程度较高，但对牙周病的了解存在一定差距。研究还发现，参与者认为自己对预防牙齿脱落的控制能力有限。此外，还发现了看牙不规律和佩戴假牙习惯不良等问题。研究结果揭示了通过口腔健康宣传改善整体口腔健康需要关注的关键领域。

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来源期刊

Community dentistry and oral epidemiology 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

8.70%

发文量

审稿时长

6 months

期刊介绍： The aim of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology is to serve as a forum for scientifically based information in community dentistry, with the intention of continually expanding the knowledge base in the field. The scope is therefore broad, ranging from original studies in epidemiology, behavioral sciences related to dentistry, and health services research through to methodological reports in program planning, implementation and evaluation. Reports dealing with people of all age groups are welcome. The journal encourages manuscripts which present methodologically detailed scientific research findings from original data collection or analysis of existing databases. Preference is given to new findings. Confirmations of previous findings can be of value, but the journal seeks to avoid needless repetition. It also encourages thoughtful, provocative commentaries on subjects ranging from research methods to public policies. Purely descriptive reports are not encouraged, nor are behavioral science reports with only marginal application to dentistry. The journal is published bimonthly.