A Cross-sectional Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices toward Oral Hygiene among Schoolchildren in Jimma, Ethiopia

Ab s t r Ac t Aim: The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward oral hygiene among schoolchildren in Jimma, Ethiopia, using a questionnaire. Materials and methods: For this descriptive study, schoolchildren (n = 580) aged between 14 and 18 years in Jimma, Ethiopia, were included in the study. The data for the study were collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was intended to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward oral hygiene among these young children. Results: The results were statistically analyzed and the corresponding percentages were calculated. Regarding the knowledge toward oral hygiene, 55.2% of patients believed that oral health had a role in general health, only 16.4% thought irregular toothbrushing can cause tooth decay, only 26.9% opined that brushing properly prevents dental problems, and 26.7% did not know that dentists can clean and polish teeth. Attitude toward oral hygiene showed 92.2% of them had never visited a dentist and 21.4% did not think it is required to visit a dentist. Regarding the practice toward oral hygiene, only 14.13% used toothbrush and toothpaste and 72.41% cleaned using Mefakiya sticks and they change their brush only when the bristles get frayed up. Conclusion: Students lacked awareness about oral health and its relation to general health. The importance of oral health and its maintenance needed to be emphasized. Currently, there is a lack of resources and educational programs on oral health. There is a need for dentists and public health workers to spread awareness among children in this region.