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VOLUME 18 , ISSUE 3 ( September-December, 2024 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Exploring Oral Health-seeking Behavior and Associated Factors among 5–7-year-old School Children in Rural Sri Lanka

Kumari Liyanage, Irosha R Perera, Kithsiri Samarakoon

Keywords : Care seeking, Oral health, School children, School dental

Citation Information : Liyanage K, Perera IR, Samarakoon K. Exploring Oral Health-seeking Behavior and Associated Factors among 5–7-year-old School Children in Rural Sri Lanka. J Oral Health Comm Dent 2024; 18 (3):107-111.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10062-0198

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 20-03-2025

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and factors related to oral health-seeking behavior among a group of children residing in rural Sri Lanka. The proactive pursuit of oral health plays a pivotal role in determining the oral health status of children. Nonetheless, it is evident that the oral health-seeking behavior, particularly among children from low socio-economic backgrounds, is not optimal due to various contributing factors. There is a scarcity of scientific data from developing countries highlighting this issue, which is essential in addressing and improving the oral health of children. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among grade I school children using a self-administered questionnaire to gather sociodemographic data. A child and the caregiver comprised a study unit. Intraoral examination was conducted to record the dental caries and PUFA (pulp involvement, ulceration, fistula, abscess) score. SPSS version 26 was used for the data analysis. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with health-seeking behavior. Results: In the study, 46.3% of children had never received oral healthcare, and 54.3% believed that care seeking is necessary only when there is a dental problem. Dental caries [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.478, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.24–0.92] and PUFA score (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.23–0.96) showed significant associations with oral health-seeking behavior. Additionally, father's occupational status (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.16–1.58), distance to the government dental clinic (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.08–3.13), and the availability of a school dental clinic (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.22–3.68) were significantly associated with oral health-seeking behavior. Conclusion: The study found that children in this group had poor oral health-seeking behavior. Dental caries and PUFA score were significantly associated with care-seeking, along with fathers’ occupational status, distance to the dental clinic, and the availability of a school dental clinic.

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