Abstract
Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of the oral health behavior of oral prophylaxis clients and some residents in a community to their simplified oral environment index. Methods : The subjects in this study were 520 people who had their teeth cleaned in the oral prophylaxis practice lab in the department of dental hygiene at J health college. A survey was conducted from March 23 to June 3, 2010, by way of the self-reported questionnaire. The data materials are analyzed by general characteristics frequency and ratio, the relationship of oral health behavior and sex, age, scaling experience, simplified oral hygiene index $x^{2}$ test analysis. Results : 1. Concerning links between gender and oral health behavior including daily toothbrushing frequency, the largest group of the respondents brushed their teeth three times a day(p<0.05). As to educational experiences on toothbrushing method and the use of oral hygiene supplies, the women had more educational experiences than the men(p<0.05). 2. Regarding connections between age and oral health behavior involving daily toothbrushing frequency, the largest number of the respondents brushed their teeth three times a day in every age group (p <0.001). As for educational experiences on toothbrushing method, those who were in their 50s and up(64.7%) learned about that, and they had more educational experiences with age(p<0.05). As for scaling experiences, the older respondents had their teeth scaled more often (p<0.001). 3. As to relationship between scaling experiences and oral health behavior, there were differences in toothbrushing frequency according to scaling experiences(p <0.05). Regarding educational experiences on toothbrushing method, those who had their teeth cleaned received more toothbrushing education(p<0.001). Concerning smoking, the nonsmokers had more experiences to get their teeth cleaned (p<0.001). 4. As for links between simplified oral environment index and oral health behavior including a time for toothbrushing, the respondents who did toothbrushing after every meal(80.4%) had good simplified oral environment indexes(p<0.05). 5. In regard to relationship between simplified oral environment index and oral health behavior, oral environment index had a positive correlation to the use of oral hygiene supplies( r=0.129**), toothbrushing time(r=0.116**) and educational experiences on toothbrushing method (r=0.099**). Smoking(r=-0.092**) had a negative correlation to that. Conclusion : The above-mentioned findings illustrate that oral health behavior is one of crucial factors to affect oral health status and oral environment care. Therefore oral prophylaxis practice lab visitors should receive education on the right toothbrushing method and the use of oral hygiene supplies to promote their oral health, and an incremental oral health care system that involves regular scaling should be introduced.
