PARTICIPATION OF PRESCHOOL TEACHERS IN STRENGTHENING CHILDREN’S ORAL HEALTH

Abstract

A proper approach to a healthy lifestyle and personal hygiene habits bought in the early years of a child's life has greater lasting value. Preschool teachers' knowledge of children's oral health and care is important to reduce the number of oral health problems now and in the future. It is therefore important to develop good oral hygiene habits in children from an early age. Children of preschool age spend a lot of time in kindergartens, so it is important that not only parents set a good example for their children, but also educators contribute to this. This study aims to evaluate the participation of preschool teachers in strengthening children's oral health and imparting knowledge about individual oral hygiene and prevention of oral diseases. A quantitative research method is applied - a questionnaire survey. The results show that a considerable proportion of pre-school teachers organize oral health activities for children, but children do not brush their teeth in kindergarten. In addition, professionals working with children show that they have sufficient knowledge about oral health but express a need to acquire new knowledge. Conclusions: Children in pre-school educational institutions are motivated to take care of their oral health, it is discussed at least once a year in most institutions, and teachers are interested in this topic and are looking for new knowledge.