Description of Knowledge on Oral Health Maintenance and Its Impact on Dental Caries in Permanent Molars teeth Among Fifth-Grade Students

Introduction: Knowledge is the result of human awareness, which occurs after an individual perceives a specific object. A child's knowledge of dental caries in permanent molars can vary depending on their age and the level of education they have received. Dental caries is a condition characterized by tooth decay caused by acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. The aim of this study was to descript the knowledge of oral health maintenance and its impact on dental caries in permanent molar teeth among fifth grade students of elementary school in Medan Tuntungan District of North Sumatera, Indonesia. Method: The type of this research was a descriptive study, with a survey method. The total of 30 samples was selected from the total students of fifth grade student of 064023 elemantary school, Medan Tuntungan District, of North Sumatera, Indonesia. The data collection from the oral and dental health knowledge quesionare and clinic examination to saw the caries of permanent molars teeth Result: The results of the study revealed that the knowledge about maintaining oral and dental health concerning caries in permanent molars among fifth-grade students showed 9 students (30%) were in the very low DMF-T category, 13 students (43.33%) were in the low category, and 8 students (26.67%) were in the moderate category. Conclusion: The majority of students located in low DMF-T category, with 13 students (43.33%). Despite this, most students had good knowledge, but still need maintenance and repair because their DMF-T scores were still in the low category.