Oral Hygiene Status and Practices Among Staff and Students in Secondary Schools in Awgu, Enugu State, Nigeria

Background The oral cavity serves as the gateway to the body, and its maintenance is essential to overall health. Despite its importance, research in oral health in rural Nigeria is limited, especially in school communities. This study addresses this gap by assessing the oral hygiene status and practices of staff and students in secondary schools within the study area, a rural part of Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using three objectives, three research questions, and a null and alternative hypothesis. From a population of 3,450 students and 536 staff, 360 respondents were selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and the responses were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 29.0, with frequencies and percentages computed. Hypotheses were tested using the chi-square test. Results The study revealed a significant difference between the staff and students, with 237 (65.83%) respondents brushing only once daily. In response to what they used for toothbrushing, 9 (3%) students used sand, while none of the staff used sand. Regarding toothbrush replacement, 155 (51.67%) students and 27 (45%) staff members replaced their toothbrushes every 6 months. Dental visits were infrequent among the respondents, with 209 (69.67%) students never having visited a clinic, and 17 (28.33%) staff and 51 (17%) students only visiting when they had problems. This low frequency of dental visits, especially among students, highlights the need for accessible, school-based oral health programs. The chi-square test results supported the alternative hypothesis, showing a significant difference in oral hygiene status and practices among the staff and students. Conclusion The study concluded that implementing oral health awareness campaigns and mobile dental clinics will improve oral health in these school communities. It also shows that health policy and future research, most especially in guiding interventions and resource allocation for underserved communities, are applicable.