Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Male Primary School Students in Saudi Arabia: A School-Based...

Background/Objectives: Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent and preventable childhood diseases worldwide. Despite universal access to free dental care in Saudi Arabia, preventable oral diseases remain common, highlighting persistent gaps in oral health literacy and preventive behaviours among children. Male students consistently demonstrate poorer oral health knowledge and practices than their female counterparts, yet they remain understudied. This study aimed to assess oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among male primary school students in Al Lith city, Saudi Arabia, and to identify their associated sociodemographic determinants. Methods: A school-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2023-2024 academic year in Al Lith city, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia. A total of 430 male students aged 10-13 years from grades five and six were recruited via multistage cluster sampling from 8 randomly selected schools. A validated, interviewer-administered, Arabic-language questionnaire assessed knowledge (18 items), attitudes (12 Likert-scale items), and practices (12 items) related to oral health, alongside sociodemographic data. The study was designed and reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Results: Of the 430 participants, 83.3% were aged 11-12 years, 89.8% were Saudi nationals, and 89.1% resided in intact, two-parent households. Knowledge deficits were widespread: only 8.4% correctly identified the recommended timing of sweet consumption, 20.2% understood dental plaque, and 28.6% recognised the protective role of fluoride. Attitudes were generally positive, with 80.1% agreeing that teeth should be brushed twice daily and 71.6% endorsing regular dental visits; however, 60.3% held that dental attendance was necessary only when pain was present. Substantial practice gaps were also evident: only 33.3% brushed for the recommended two minutes, and 12.6% had never visited a dentist. In multivariable analysis, low household income was independently associated with better oral health knowledge (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-4.74; p = 0.039), divorced parental status was independently associated with positive oral health attitudes (AOR = 5.40; 95% CI: 1.28-22.79; p = 0.022), and older age was independently associated with poorer oral health practices (AOR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.55-0.93; p = 0.014). Conclusions: Male primary school students in Al Lith demonstrated generally positive oral health attitudes but significant deficits in knowledge and preventive practices. Comprehensive, school-based oral health promotion programmes that address key misconceptions, actively engage parents, and integrate culturally accepted practices-such as miswak use-with evidence-based preventive guidance are needed.