1. Mohammad Yaqoob Memon 2. Feroze Ali Kalhoro 3. Abdul Jabbar 4. Abdul Bari Memon 5. Irfan Ahmed Shaikh

1.  Senior Dental Surgeon, Health Department, Government of Sindh 2. Assoc. Prof. of Operative Dentistry,

LUMHS, Jamshoro, Sindh 3. Asstt. Prof. of Orthodontics, LUMHS, Jamshoro, Sindh 4. Asstt. Prof. of Community Dentistry, LUMHS, Medical Research Center, Jamshoro, Sindh 5. Asstt. Prof. of Prostodontics, Isra Dental College, Hyderabad, Sindh.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices for oral hygiene habits among 6-12 years religious school students

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Department of Community Dentistry, LUMHS, Jamshoro from 15^th July to 10^th August 2014.

Materials and Methods: Cross sectional research was conducted among the religious students of Madarsa Jamia Ghousia Taheria Matiari (Rural Area) and Mumtaz ul Madaris Hirabad Hyderabad (Urban Area). Madrasas were selected on convenient bases. Religious students between age group 6-12 year male only were included in the study. All the students were asked the questions from self-administered questionnaire and were ticked the answers. Data were analyzed in statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16.

Results: Majority of religious students from rural and urban areas were cleaning their teeth once a day. 36% from rural and 28% from urban areas reported for miswak (chewing stick) followed by tooth brush and tooth powder, no one was using dental floss. 59% reported for occasionally usage of miswak at the time of ablution (wadoo). Only 10% religious students were rinsing their mouth after meal. 65% religious students were complaining of bad smell. Conclusion: it is concluded that oral health knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) among study participants were poor and needs to be improved.

Key Words: Oral health, Knowledge, Attitude, Religious school children.