THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEETH BRUSHING METHODS AND DENTAL CARIES IN GRADE 2 & 3 STUDENT OF MI AL BANNAA CIKALAHANG DUKUPUNTANG CIREBON

Dental caries is one of the most common oral health problems among elementary
school children and can significantly affect their daily activities and quality of life.
One of the main contributing factors to caries is improper tooth brushing behavior
in terms of frequency, timing, and technique. This study aims to examine the
relationship between tooth brushing methods and the incidence of dental caries
among grade 2 and 3 students at MI Al-Bannaa, Cikalahang, Dukupuntang,
Cirebon.
This research used a quantitative method with a cross-sectional design. A total of
59 students were selected through random sampling from a population of 141
students. Data were collected using a questionnaire to assess tooth brushing habits
and an observation sheet to detect dental caries. The results of the Chi-Square test
showed a significant relationship between tooth brushing methods and dental caries
occurrence (p-value < 0.05), indicating that most students who brushed their teeth
incorrectly experienced caries.
Based on the findings, it can be concluded that tooth brushing methods have a
meaningful impact on the incidence of dental caries among elementary school
children. Therefore, it is important to enhance education on proper tooth brushing
techniques from an early age, both at home and at school. Promotive and preventive
interventions, such as dental health education and regular check-ups, are essential
to reduce the prevalence of caries in children.