ORAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOUR AMONG OLDER PATIENTS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

This study aimed to assess the oral health knowledge and behaviors among older patients attending dental policlinics of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Kuala Lumpur. This is a cross-sectional study involving a sample of 64 newly registered older patients aged 50 years old and above in Faculty of Dentistry, UKM. Oral health knowledge was measured using Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge (CMOHK) questionnaire that consists of 23 item questions. Oral health behavior was measured using a set of question adopted and modified from Rustvold, 2012. Sixty-four participants completed the survey. The mean age of the respondents was 62 years old, ranging from 50 to 80 years old. Majority of the participants were female (56.3%), Malay (54.6%), and completed secondary education. For oral health knowledge about half of the participants (48.4%) scored poor, 17.2% scored fair and 34.4% scored high oral health knowledge. The lowest score on oral health knowledge was about children’s oral health in which only 18.8% of the respondents answered correctly. For oral health behaviour component, majority of the respondents (68.8%) brushed twice daily. Majority (31.3%) had cleaned between their teeth at least once a week. About 82.8% last visited their dentist within 6 months ago but majority were symptomatic attendee. Almost all participants used fluoridated toothpaste (98.4%). In conclusion, the older patients attending the dental policlinics in Faculty of Dentistry UKM has poor to fair oral health knowledge. However, they have positive oral health behaviors.