PENERAPAN TEKNIK MENGGOSOK GIGI YANG TEPAT PADA ANAK: STUDI DESKRIPTIF DI SEKOLAH DASAR YAYASAN BADAN PENDIDIKAN KRISTEN KEDIRI

Abstract

Good dental care from an early age is essential to prevent oral health problems later in life. Many school-aged children still do not practice proper tooth brushing techniques, which can increase the risk of issues like plaque, cavities, or other dental problems. This study aims to describe applying adequate tooth-brushing techniques in school-aged children at YBPK Elementary School in Kediri. The research method used is descriptive quantitative. The population for this study consists of 32 students from 4th and 5th grade at YBPK Elementary School in Kediri. The inclusion criteria for this study were 32 children who met the requirements, selected through total sampling. The inclusion criteria are children aged 7 to 12 years old, children who were present at school during data collection, and children who consented to participate in the study. Data analysis was performed using frequency distribution. The results showed that applying proper tooth brushing techniques among school-aged children was inadequate, with 22 respondents (68.8%) demonstrating improper techniques. The issues found included incorrect brushing motions, excessive pressure, and insufficient brushing duration. Furthermore, most respondents were not aware of the proper times to brush their teeth, such as after meals or before bedtime