OBJECTIVES:
Adolescence is a
time during which
health behaviors and
attitudes that significantly
affect the
quality of life are formed. The aim of this study was to analyze data from a large national
survey to determine the effect of
health behaviors and the DMFT index as well as oral and
general health behavior patterns on
oral health in
adolescents.
METHODS:
Data from the Fifth
Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to analyze the
association between
health behaviors and the DMFT index in Korean
adolescents. The data were analyzed using SAS version 19.3. Multiple
regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the variables, and 95%
confidence intervals were computed.
RESULTS:
Sex, age, private medical
insurance coverage, usage of oral-
hygiene-assistance products, lack of dental
treatment, and the status of
self-recognition of
oral health were the factors that had a significant influence on
oral health among
adolescents.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study findings provided further evidence supporting the promotion of
school-based
oral health programs and highlighting the need of
oral health education for
adolescents.