Adolescents Smokers’ Knowledge Level of Dental and Oral Health

Abstract

Smoking is a very popular habit, especially for adolescents, to show self-actualization. This situation also shows the need for guidance on awareness and good knowledge about maintaining a healthy body, not to mention dental and oral health as a whole and continuously, through the prevention of smoking behavior as dental and oral health influence the overall health. The aim of this study is to describe smoking in adolescents based on the knowledge level of dental and oral health in East Boroko Village, Manado, Indonesia. The type of research is descriptive research with a survey method. The sample in this study was a total population of 30 adolescent smokers. The data collection technique used primary data. The data was obtained directly by filling out the questionnaire, sending a google form questionnaire link to each respondent, contacting and cross-checking with respondents. The results show overall respondents’ level of knowledge is mostly poor as many as 16 people (53.3%) out of 30 people Meanwhile, the age group of respondents with poor knowledge level is the most in the 15-16 year age group as many as 10 (62.5%) people. Most adolescents do not know the impact of smoking on dental and oral health. In conclusion, the teenage smokers in East Boroko Village are lack of dental and oral health knowledge. Future work should address the causes of adolescents to become a smoker in order to provide precise solutions.