Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior and Prevalence of Dental Caries of Rural Mothers and Their Preparatory School Young Adults in El-Sobehy Village, Fayoum, Egypt: a Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction:

Scientific background:

Oral health is an essential part of overall health and well-being, with growing data suggesting an association between oral and systemic health for serious disorders including cancer, mild cognitive impairment, arthritis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Even though oral health has made enormous strides, the burden of oral health disorders is still quite high globally. This may be primarily due to a lack of healthy oral behaviors that are essential in managing the most prevalent oral diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal disease, with a prevalence rate of up to 47.6% or more in school young adults around the globe.

Dental caries is considered as the major oral problem which affect between 60% and 90% of children, and may reach to 100% of adults. Also, dental caries affect 2.4 billion people around the world. The percentage increases to 35% when all ages are included.

The prevalence of oral diseases continues to increase in most low and middle income countries (LMICs) due to urbanization and changing living conditions, low fluoride exposure and lack of access to basic oral health care. Additionally, poor dietary habits with high sugar content and tobacco consumption also increase the risk of oral diseases.