THIS STUDY EXAMINES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FREQUENCY AND TIME OF TOOTH BRUSHING WITH DENTAL CARIES IN CLASS V AND VI STUDENTS OF PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE NAGARI MUARO PAITI DISTRICT COMPRISING 50 TOWNS

Abstract

The most prevalent dental and oral health issue among school-aged children is dental caries. This can be attributed primarily to inadequate toothbrushing techniques and behaviours. The objective of this research is to ascertain the relationship between the frequency and duration of toothbrushing and the prevalence of dental caries among students in grades V and VI of state-run elementary schools (SDN) in Nagari Muaro Paiti. This study employs a crosssectional analytical research design. The research population comprised all students in grades V and VI of SDN in Nagari Muaro Paiti. The sampling technique employed was saturation sampling, which yielded a sample size of 186 students. The data were collected utilising a checklist to ascertain the frequency and timing of toothbrushing, as well as an examination format to determine the presence of dental caries. The data were subjected to analysis using the chi-square test. The findings indicated that students who brushed their teeth once a day exhibited a favourable caries status of 4.3% and an unfavourable caries status of 35.5%. Conversely, students who brushed their teeth at least twice a day exhibited a favourable caries status of 9.7% and an unfavourable caries status of 50.5%. The p-value for this comparison was 0.331. It was observed that no students were brushing their teeth at the optimal time. A total of 10.2% of the observed subjects exhibited a favourable caries status, while 24.7% displayed an unfavourable one. Among the subjects who reported brushing their teeth twice daily, 3.8% exhibited a favourable caries status, while 61.3% exhibited an unfavourable one. The p-value for this group was 0.000, indicating a statistically significant difference. In the presence of dental caries, it is recommended that students engage in twice-daily tooth brushing at designated times: in the morning following breakfast and in the evening before bedtime. Furthermore, it is recommended that students limit their consumption of sweet and sticky foods.