1985 NHIS findings on public knowledge and attitudes about oral diseases and preventive measures

Two objectives for the nation for 1990 set goals related to the need for schoolchildren and adults to understand the causes of oral diseases and methods of prevention. Five questions related to these objectives were included in the 1985 National Health Interview Survey. Survey responses of adults ages 18 years and older indicated that while the public is generally aware of the importance of a number of factors in the prevention of tooth decay, only 18 percent had both heard of, and knew the purpose of, dental sealants. At the same time, the public fails to discriminate between effective disease preventive factors related to periodontal diseases as opposed to those related to dental decay. Knowledge of oral disease prevention modalities generally varies across educational, income, age, and racial categories. However, there appears to be little variation in knowledge by gender. Additional information from upcoming surveys may shed more light on the relationships between knowledge of oral diseases and their prevention and personal preventive practices.