ABSTRACT
Background: Oral health is a primary division of overall health. Oral health knowledge is considered to be crucial for developing healthy behaviors, and it has been shown that there is an association between increased knowledge and better oral health. Optimum health related practices are more likely to be taken up if an individual feels a sense of better control over their health with better understanding of diseases and their etiology. Aim: Therefore, the present study aimed at assessing the level of oral health knowledge, attitude and practices of secondary school students in district Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir UT. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 384 secondary school students of Kulgam district J&K. The participants were presented with a standardized pre-tested closed ended questionnaire based on WHO oral health questionnaire for children. It was a multiple choice questionnaire where the participants were asked to select the most relevant answer. Results: This study showed that knowledge and attitude towards oral health hygiene was good among the students. Attitude towards oral health was also found to be comparatively good. Oral hygiene practices were not up to the mark. There is a need to teach the significance of routine dental checkup, appropriate tooth brushing technique and material used for tooth brushing.Conclusion: School age is the right time when the behavior can still be molded, secondary level students would be the appropriate target group to receive the first organized intervention leading towards correct knowledge along with a positive attitude which is essential to bring about a change in their oral health behavior.