ZEKİYE ŞEYMA GÜMÜŞBOĞA
Necmettin Erbakan University Dental Journal - 2024;6(1):39-47
Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the oral hygiene habits of children in the post-earthquake period in Malatya. Material and Methods: 300 parents who applied to İnönü University Pediatric Dentistry Department for examination/treatment participated in this study. Questionnaire forms were hand-delivered to the parents. The survey consists of 18 questions in total. While evaluating the study data, Kruskal Wallis test was used for the comparison of the parameters between groups in the comparison of quantitative data as well as descriptive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation, frequency). Chi-square test was used to compare qualitative data. Significance was evaluated at the p<0.05 level. Results: Before the earthquake, 43.3% of the children who participated in the study brushed their teeth once a day, 40.3% rarely, 15% twice or more a day, and 1.3% did not brush at all. After the earthquake, the rate of brushing once a day was 31.3%, the rate of brushing 2 or more times a day was 13%, the rate of brushing rarely was 50%, and the rate of not brushing at all was 5.7%. The rate of decrease in tooth brushing habit of the children whose living space changed after the earthquake (30.8%) was found to be statistically significantly higher than the children whose living space did not change (20%).(p:0.027; p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result of this study, it has been observed that the oral hygiene habits of children have unfortunately decreased or disappeared as their living spaces and conditions have changed. Appropriate living conditions for children should be provided as soon as possible after natural disasters, and oral hygiene habits should be started again.
