Oral Health Knowledge, Perceptions, and Habits of Adolescents from Portugal, Romania, and Sweden: A Comparative Study

Aims

The study aimed to assess and compare the self-reported oral health knowledge, habits, and perceptions of adolescents in Portugal, Romania, and Sweden and the factors that may affect them.

Materials and Methods

An oral health questionnaire with 25 questions was put together in English language and translated into Portuguese, Romanian, and Swedish language to investigate and compare oral health-related knowledge, habits, and perceptions of adolescents from the different countries. A voluntary sample of 879 teenagers completed it, mean aged 14.9 (±1.83) years, from Romania (n = 455), Portugal (n = 200), and Sweden (n = 224) as part of the EuHyDens project. The survey took place between November 2015 and June 2016.

Results

It showed some differences between the countries studied but more similarities between Portuguese and Romanian adolescents as related to perceptions of oral health and the use of oral services. Sweden and Portugal are more similar regarding oral health habits (toothbrushing and diet) as compared to Romanian adolescents. Portuguese adolescents have a higher oral health-related knowledge.

Conclusion

Assessment of knowledge, perceptions, and habits of a population is essential for the adequate understanding of the oral health-care needs of the society. From the data collected, several differences were found. These differences can be used for tailor interventions to minimize inequalities between countries.

Evaluation of a 7-year school-based community dental hygiene programme in Portugal by high school teachers

OBJECTIVES

To obtain high school teachers evaluation of a Community Dental Hygiene programme, developed as part of a clinical trial designed to assess the safety of low-level mercury exposure from amalgam restorations.

METHODS

A questionnaire to assess programme evaluation, personal opinion on programme relevance and satisfaction with activities was distributed among teachers. It had a total of 22 questions organized into three groups.

RESULTS

A total of 25 questionnaires were obtained from teachers who participated in the programme. Ninety-two per cent of the respondents had a positive opinion concerning the existence of the programme. Eighty-eight per cent of the teachers believed that the programme changed student's knowledge about dental hygiene. Ninety-two per cent of teachers supported the existence of the programme and 88% of them disagreed with a statement that participation in the programme was a waste of time. Teachers who did not collaborate actively with dental hygiene activities indicated belief that the programme affected school activities (P = 0.003). Teachers who actively participated in the programme believe that dental hygiene activities were important for students (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Teacher evaluations of this kind of programme are critical for the development of school-based Dental Hygiene Education programmes. Teachers believe that Dental Hygiene Education is crucial for students' well-being.