Abstract:
This study was done to assess the knowledge,attitudes and practices on oral and dental
health among school children and to determine the source of oral health
information.Another purpose of this study was to assess the awareness of the school dental
service and whether the services were being utilized by the children.The study area was
confined to the city of colombo due to the financial and time constraints; Parents and school
teachers were found to be the main source of information with the dental surgeon
contributing to a lesser degree and the least contribution made by the school dental
therapist.Awareness of the school dental clinic among the school children was not adequate
and significant differences between the two froups with muslims being less aware of the
school dental clinics were found.The frequency of sugar consumption was found to be high
among all school children.Since dental disease are preventable disease,it is very important
that preventive services should be enhanced and made active.The need to educate children
about the basic aspects of dental health,current efficacious preventive methods and minimise
prevalent misinformation about dental health was seen from this study.School dental service
utilisation should be brought to a maximum.
