Abstract:

Background: Dental caries is a serious public health concern due to its great prevalence and substantial influence on general health, as it can impair quality of life, even though it is not usually a life-threatening. The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness and risk behaviors that facilitate on developing dental caries on secondary school students.

Methodology: A school based cross-sectional study was done, data was obtained by cluster random sampling on secondary school students until the determined sample size was attained with self-administered questionnaire

Results: The study showed that most students aware that consumption of sugary food to be the important factor in dental caries. There was no significant difference in awareness between males (42.99%) and females (43.95%) about the risks of sugary foods. About total of (71%) in which 40% female student in total sample size do not agree that dentist should be visited only during severe dental pain, and (31%) of male students do not agree that. Also, in this study that fluoride-based tooth paste can protect from tooth decay. In this factor (56.69%) of male students seems to be more aware in which they comprise about (29.62%) while in female students was (27.07%). The study showed that the population group at high risk were female in which they report more consumption of sugary foods which comprises 26% of whole population compared to their counterpart males where by male comprise 21%. Concerning the brushing pattern (74%) reported to brush there toot several times with female are seem to be more concerned by their oral hygiene by having a tendency of toot brushing several times a day by (30%). This attitude can somehow explain the health seeking behavior following dental caries. Not agree response in this section is graded as better attitude as shown 38% of population respond this while strongly not agree response graded as excellent attitude which carries 22.68%.

Conclusion: Most of students are aware on the different risk behaviors that results into dental carries despite the tendency of keeping themselves on risks such as frequent consumption of sugary die, as well as they showed good behavior or frequent tooth brushing. Also, they know about the advantages of visiting dentist regardless of the tooth status and not relying on tooth symptoms for visiting dentist.