awareness of oral health in Emirati children

ABSTRACT

To develop an effective and efficient preventive dental health system, it is imperative to be cognizant of the existing problems and its various facets. One of the factors which mitigate against effective utilisation of dental health facilities is lack of awareness. To this end, a study was designed to appraise basic oral health concepts in the Emirati population. This study should serve as a baseline for comparisons in the future. Results obtained from the present study suggested a mixed and upwardly developing population. Western practices of tooth brushing have been incorporated into the lifestyle. Children seemed to have given up the use of "Miswak" and prefered to brush. Although there was no proper dental health education in schools curricula, prevention was a strong motivating force in frequent brushing. This pre-existing concept can be utilised in designs of preventive programmes. There seemed to be a lack of parental involvement in oral hygiene procedures. The level of dental health awareness seemed to be less in the present population than those in the Western World