Résumé
Objectif
L’objectif de cette étude est de déterminer les connaissances et les perceptions liées à la santé dentaire chez les écoliers québécois de 13 à 14 ans.
Méthode
Pour cette étude, un échantillon provincial d’écoliers québécois de 13 à 14 ans a été constitué. Les élèves ont répondu à un questionnaire, spécifiquement conçu pour l’étude, comprenant 46 questions. Celui-ci a été complété par plus de 1 300 élèves, soit un taux de participation de 53,0 %.
Résultats
Les réponses des adolescents indiquent qu’ils connaissent l’importance des services dentaires et du brossage des dents dans la prévention de la carie. Par contre, leurs connaissances vis-à-vis de l’usage des agents de scellement et du fluor sont déficientes, voire erronées. Dans l’ensemble, les adolescents pensent que la prévention des maladies dentaires leur est accessible et qu’ils ont un rôle important à jouer. Toutefois, beaucoup considèrent quand même que la perte des dents est un processus normal lors du vieillisse-ment. La majorité des enfants évaluent de manière positive leur santé dentaire et on note que l’esthétique dentaire est un facteur plus important pour les enfants que la qualité de leurs dents. Enfin, environ le tiers des enfants sont anxieux face aux services dentaires.
Conclusion
L’étude des connaissances et des perceptions reliées à la santé dentaire chez les adolescents québécois montre que ces éléments sont fortement influencés par l’envi-ronnement physique et socioculturel. C’est à ce niveau qu’il faut intervenir afin que les enfants accordent plus d’importance à leur santé dentaire.
Abstract
Objective
The objective of this study was to measure knowledge and perception related to oral health in Quebec children.
Method
For this study, a provincial sample of Quebec adolescents, 13 to 14 years old, was set up. Adolescents answered a 46-item questionnaire, specifically designed for the study. The questionnaire was completed by over 1,300 adolescents (participation rate = 53.0%).
Results
The answers indicate that adolescents know the importance of toothbrushing and dental services utilization for dental caries prevention. However, their knowledge about dental sealant and fluoride is inadequate. Teenagers believe that they have a significant role to play in the prevention of dental diseases. However, many adolescents consider tooth loss to be a normal consequence of age. The majority of adolescents report their oral health as good. It is noted that dental aesthetics is a more significant factor for them than the quality of their teeth. Finally, dental care is a source of anxiety in one third of the adolescents.
Conclusion
The study of teenagers’ knowledge and perceptions related to oral health shows that these elements are strongly influenced by environment, norm and culture. To improve dental health concerns in teenagers, public health policies should concentrate on these elements.
Footnotes
Remerciements: Cette étude a été subventionnée par le Programme national de recherche et développement en santé et le Fonds de recherche en santé du Québec.
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