A survey of oral health related behavior among 10-12-year-old children in Guangzhou City

Objective To understand oral health behavior among 10-12 years old children in Guangzhou City,and to give references for corresponding health care projects.Methods Participants were selected by stratified random sampling method.Selfadministered questionnaires were implemented among 19 071 pupils aged 10-12 years from 149 schools in September 2014.Results About 60.3% children brushed teeth twice or more per day,33.2% reported had heard about fluoride toothpaste,and 44.73% reported having used.Nearly 27.11% of students had used dental floss,71.50% had received pit and fissure sealant to prevent dental caries.Only 30.97% of children visited dentists during the past year.Children from urban area reported higher rates of teeth-brushing twice per day,dental floss usage,pit and fissure sealant filling,and visiting dentists than children from rural area (P<0.01).Children from rural area reported higher rate of fluoride toothpaste used than children from urban area (P<0.01).The distribution of reasons for visiting dentists were different between urban area and rural area (x2=130.911,P<0.01).More urban area children visited dentists for regular dental examinations and preventive measures than rural area children with 7.66% visited dentist to treat bleeding gums.And 42.13% reported having ignored toothache.Conclusion In addition to vigorously promote the fissure caries prevention treatment,propaganda of fluoride should be strengthened.More attention should be paid to oral health education among children,parents and school staff,with especial focus on rural area students.