Oral Health Knowledge among Private Primary School Teachers in Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the oral health knowledge and the contributing factors among primary school teachers in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of primary school teachers in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was carried out using stratified random sampling technique. A validated Arabic questionnaire was used to determine teachers' oral health knowledge. Data was entered into a computer and analysed using SPSS. Differences between groups were examined using Chi-square test. Results: Of the 1420 school teachers responded to the survey, majority had adequate knowledge of causes (56.3%) and prevention of dental caries (92.3%). Statistically significant results were found between the type of school, age, and years of teaching experience with the knowledge of dental caries and its prevention (p<0.05). Conclusion: The oral health knowledge of the primary school teachers was satisfactory with private primary school teachers having a better knowledge than government school teachers. It is recommended that the effectiveness of oral health education programs in primary schools be evaluated.