Oral health knowledge among primary school adolescents: A cross-sectional study from Maasai populated areas in Tanzania.

ABSTRACT: Oral health knowledge (OHK) is vital for maintenance of good oral health. However, poor oral health remains a significant burden for individuals globally. This study aimed to assess OHK by ethnicity and its covariates in terms of sociodemographic, clinical oral health status and dental health care utilization among primary school adolescents in rural Maasai populated areas in Tanzania. Using a two-stage cluster sample design, we randomly selected 23 out of 66 eligible rural schools in Arusha region, where a total of 906 (91.6%) adolescents aged 12-14 years accepted to participate an interview and an oral clinical examination. The interview included questions on socio-demographic factors and oral health related behavior, while clinical examination included oral hygiene status, gingival blee

SUBMITTER: Simangwa LD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12668503 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature