Dental Hygiene Practices among Secondary School Students of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State

Abstract

This paper determined the dental hygiene practices among secondary school students of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. A questionnaire developed was administered on a sample consisted of 329 secondary school students. The reliability of the study was determined through test retest, which yielded reliability coefficient of 82. Findings or the study revealed that rinsing the mouth with water after meal, taking fruits to improve the strength of teeth and inspecting the teeth regularly were the promotive dental hygiene practices among secondary school students in Bokkos LGA. On the other hand, removing hard deposits, using dental floss, avoiding breaking hard bones or opening minerals with teeth, avoiding taking sugary foods and using chewing sticks in-between meals were the preventive dental hygiene practices. The common dental disorders among the students were mottled teeth, dental canes and dental plague. Location has significant influence in the frequency of preventive dental hygiene practices. The paper finally offered suggestions that can improve dental health practices in secondary schools.