Knowledge, Perception, and Oral Health Behavior of Carekeepers, Preschool Children Center, Pungrad Subdistrict, Klaeng District, Rayong Province

Abstract

This study was a survey research aiming to assess knowledge, perception, and behaviors
regarding oral health care behavior provided for Preschool children among carekeepers,
preschool Childeren Center, Pungrad Subdistricts, Klaeng District, Rayong Province. The
samples were 84 carekeepers of preschool children enrolling in Preschool Children Center. The
data were collected by using interview schedule with carekeepers. The data were analyzed by
employing descriptive statistics in regard to frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean, and
analytical statistics for testing correlation by computing Chi-square test and Pearson’s Product
Moment Correlation Coefficient. The research results showed that 63.1 percent of carekeepers
was at a ‘moderate’ level ; 53.6 percent of the samples had a ‘good’ level of dental health
perception; 61.9 percent performed a ‘moderate’ level of oral health care behavior for their
preschool children. No significant relationship was found between age, sex, occupation,
educational level and carekeepers’ oral health care behaviors provided for their children (p>0.05).
Knowledge and perception about dental health were not related significantly with carekeepers’oral
health care behaviors provided for their children (p>0.05). Recommendations were public health
organizations or other related organizations should organize a training program for promoting
knowledge and perception regarding dental health care of preschool children for guardians,
teachers, or carekeepers and surveillance activates on oral and dental health of preschool children
should be done both at home and at the Preschool Center as well as promoting children’s health
in regard to food, exercise, and other aspects wholisticly for normal developmental growth of
children.