International Journal of Dentistry Research 2025; 10(3): 96-101 ;   DOI:10.31254/dentistry.2025.10305

Research Article

Oral Health Knowledge and Practices Among Primary School Teachers in Mzuzu, Malawi

Mervyn Turton¹ , Lilian E. Mkonyi² , Nathan Lungu³ , Russell Turton⁴

Mervyn Turton,Lilian E. Mkonyi,Nathan Lungu,Russell Turton

1. School of Oral Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Oral Biological Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
2. Department of Orthodontics, Pedodontics and Community Dentistry; Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
3. Department of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
4. Department of History, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 7th July, 2025 / Accepted: 3rd October, 2025 / Published : 17th January, 2026

Abstract

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Background: School teachers can influence the oral health behavior of children since children spend most of their time at school. However, only a teacher with adequate oral health knowledge and practices can influence pupils’ appropriate oral health care. Objective: To assess oral health knowledge and practices of the primary school teachers in Mzuzu city, Malawi. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 382 primary school teachers, from 13 schools using a closed ended structured questionnaire. Results: Majority of teachers (81.9 %) and (91.7%) rightly indicated tooth decay is caused by bacteria and sugar respectively. Eighty-six percent and 84.3% of the teachers knew that brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and limiting sugar intake prevent dental caries respectively. Most teachers (92.7%) used toothbrushes and toothpaste for maintaining oral hygiene. About 63.6% of teachers brushed twice or more a day and only a few used dental floss. Regular dental visit was significantly associated with dental floss use (p=0.002) and with the knowledge that “gum disease is a bacterial infection” (p=0.0002).Over 98% reported to have received oral health education, however only 30% of teachers reported to have attended in service training for oral health education. Conclusion: The finding of this study is that schoolteachers had partial knowledge of oral health and their oral health practice was inadequate. Mass media was the major source (50%) of oral health information. This observation suggests that primary teachers need tailor made oral health education program and organized training to enhance their oral health knowledge and perfect their oral practices.

Keywords

Oral health, Knowledge, Practices, Source of information, School teachers.

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