Assessment of oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices among school students in the Qassim Region: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Oral health is an essential component of general health and well-being, especially in childhood and adolescence. Evaluation of students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding oral health is critical to establishing effective school-based interventions. This cross-sectional study assessed oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among primary and intermediate school students in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia, with an emphasis on the students' perceptions of causes and protective factors of tooth decay. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was conducted. The final sample involved 321 primary and intermediate school students aged 7-15 years from around the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. This study collected data through a structured, investigator-administered questionnaire and using clinical oral health indices (DMFT, DI, CI, and OHI). Descriptive statistics, along with chi-square tests, were applied to investigate any gender differences and distributions of responses. The researchers obtained ethical clearance, informed assent, and parental consent before the data collection. RESULTS: Students had moderate-to-high levels of KAP regarding oral health. The most frequently identified causes of tooth decay by students were frequent consumption of sugary food (82.0%) and poor oral hygiene (77.0%), whereas regular tooth brushing (87.2%) and use of fluoridated toothpaste (76.3%) were the most frequently reported protective factors against tooth decay. There were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) by gender across each of the KAP items. Notably, while awareness of oral health in general was high, there were knowledge gaps regarding fluoride use and regular dental visits. CONCLUSION: Primary and intermediate school students in the Qassim Region have high levels of oral health knowledge, but gaps remain in oral health behaviors. This study highlights the need for comprehensive, integrated, school-based oral health approaches that focus on converting knowledge into long-term change. The data specific to the Qassim Region may inform the national oral health strategy and provide direction to oral health interventions that are culturally appropriate.