Perceptions of educators and students about using fluoridated mouthwashes

Authors

  • Ronald Jefferson Martins Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba - UNESP
  • Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba - UNESP
  • Artênio José Ísper Garbin Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba - UNESP
  • Dirce Sato Shimada Prefeitura Municipal de Araçatuba-SP
  • Augusto Pereira Castilho Prefeitura Municipal de Araçatuba-SP

Keywords:

Dental caries, primary prevention, sodium fluoride

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions and opinions of public school teachers and students in the city of Araçatuba, SP, Brazil, on the importance of using fluoridated mouthwashes, the difficulties of the method and the procedure in general. Methods: Students from grades 5 through 8 in schools with and without dental services were asked about their opinion on the use of fluoridated mouthwashes. The educators answered questions about the importance of preventive methods in oral health and the difficulties in performing those methods at school. Data were collected using a faces scale, a categorization method, and a Likert scale with five levels of responses to check the level of agreement with the questions. Results: The sample consisted of 264 (40.3%) teachers and 5,788 (73.6%) students. A total of 254 (96.2%) and 72 (27.3%) teachers responded favorably to the first and second questions, respectively. A total of 1,128 (19.5%) students had negative feelings about the fluoridated mouthwash. Conclusion: The majority of the teachers supported the use of fluoridated mouthwashes; however, a large number of teachers believed that the practice disrupts the class routine. Most of the students had a positive opinion about the use of fluoridated mouthwash, although they highlighted some negative aspects, which were overcome by the benefits that the method provides.

Author Biographies

Ronald Jefferson Martins, Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba - UNESP

Graduate Program in Social and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry of Araçatuba, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, SP, Brazil

Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin, Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba - UNESP

Graduate Program in Social and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry of Araçatuba, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, SP, Brazil

Artênio José Ísper Garbin, Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba - UNESP

Graduate Program in Social and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry of Araçatuba, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, SP, Brazil

Dirce Sato Shimada, Prefeitura Municipal de Araçatuba-SP

Dental Services of the Municipality of Araçatuba, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil

Augusto Pereira Castilho, Prefeitura Municipal de Araçatuba-SP

Dental Services of the Municipality of Araçatuba, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil

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Published

2010-09-25

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Original Article