Woolfolk M W, Lang W P, Faja B W
Department of Prevention and Health Care, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-1078.
J Public Health Dent. 1989 Winter;49(1):39-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-7325.1989.tb02019.x.
The dental health knowledge and sources of health information of 848 elementary schoolchildren (aged 9-12) in southwestern Michigan were assessed. Demographic parameters (education level, percent below poverty level, median income level) of the area were similar to state and national averages. The children were found to have some knowledge of caries and periodontal disease prevention, yet basic misconceptions were evident. More than one-third of the children thought that plaque should only be removed by a dentist. While 75 percent of the subjects knew that fluoride protected teeth from decay, only 4 percent of the children identified fluoridated water as the best source of this preventive agent. Knowledge of pit and fissure sealants was limited. Extent of correct dental knowledge was not related to age, sex, or mean DMFS scores. Children who answered the most questions correctly named parents and family as their source of information; dentist's office was the second most frequently mentioned source. Findings suggest a need to correct basic misinformation about dental health and to inform children about current efficacious preventive agents.
对密歇根州西南部848名9至12岁小学生的口腔健康知识及健康信息来源进行了评估。该地区的人口统计学参数（教育水平、贫困线以下人口百分比、收入中位数水平）与该州及全国平均水平相似。研究发现这些儿童对龋齿和牙周病预防有一定了解，但基本的误解也很明显。超过三分之一的儿童认为只有牙医才能清除牙菌斑。虽然75%的受试者知道氟化物能保护牙齿防蛀，但只有4%的儿童认为氟化水是这种预防剂的最佳来源。对窝沟封闭剂的了解有限。正确的口腔知识程度与年龄、性别或平均龋失补牙面数（DMFS）评分无关。回答正确问题最多的儿童将父母和家人列为其信息来源；牙医诊所是第二常被提及的来源。研究结果表明有必要纠正关于口腔健康的基本错误信息，并向儿童介绍当前有效的预防剂。
