Dental health-related behaviour in Scottish schoolchildren aged 11, 13 and 15 from Edinburgh city

The two most important individually-mediated factors for the control of dental decay and periodontal diseases are frequency of sugar consumption commonly in the form of sweets, and toothbrushing. Most dental health education efforts have therefore been concentrating on informing and motivating parents and children to restrict sugar intake and to brush their teeth twice a day. The present investigation was undertaken, as part of a wider survey of health related behaviour in Scottish schoolchildren, to determine the frequency of tooth brushing and sweet consumption in relation to age, gender and social background. Data was collected from 4,890 children aged 11, 13 and 15 years from independent and state schools in Lothian. Subjects completed a questionnaire, anonymously, in class.