Resumo

SANTOS, Malu Oliveira et al. Oral health knowledge and perception of teachers and preschoolers from a city in the state of Bahia, Brazil. RFO UPF [online]. 2015, vol.20, n.2, pp. 172-178. ISSN 1413-4012.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of children and teachers, at daycares in the city of Jequié, BA, Brazil, on positive and negative factors related to oral hygiene and diet. Subjects and method: The sample consisted of 14 teachers and 119 preschoolers aged 3-4 years, from public full-time daycares. Data were collected through two structured forms: one for the teachers, with open and closed questions; and one for the preschoolers, with an illustrative approach. Results: From the children assessed, 84.03% scored at least one item of oral hygiene, and the toothbrush was the most selected one (66.39%). Regarding diet, it was found that the children had a low perception on healthy (39.50%) and non-healthy (45.59%) food. Among the teachers, it was found that their knowledge on oral health is insufficient, although 78.57% perform activities related to oral health in the classroom. Conclusion: It was concluded that, although preschoolers are able to understand the importance of oral hygiene elements, most of them could not distinguish the positive and negative factors that relate dental caries to diet, which is a point that requires more attention in educational practices. The integration between dentists and educators is essential, as well as the application of updating courses and training on oral health.

Palavras-chave : Oral health education.; School health.; Oral health..