Knowledge of the Causes and Control of Dental Caries in Ujoelen Primary Health Center,ekpoma

The main aim of the study is to determine knowledge of the causes and control of dental caries in Ujaelen Primary Health Center, Ekpoma. This study was a descriptive study using Ajzen und Fishbein's Theory of Reasoned Action as the theoretical framework to describe the characteristics associated with dental care. Using a convenience sampling technique, questionnaires were distributed to 184 respondents in Ujoelen Primary Health care. Major findings revealed that the respondents ignored it when they had dental caries were 16.9% and only a very small proportion (2.3%) did not know what to do. Also 36.9% went for treatment immediately they realised they had dental caries while 43.9% went for treatment when the condition worsened. Respondents believe that maintaining good oral hygiene can prevent dental caries were 37.7% while 29.7% believed that it is a multiple approach methods such as good oral hygiene, reduction in sugary food, and scaling und polishing. Only 2.2% of the respondents believed that professional scaling and polishing alone can prevent dental caries. Majority (61.4%) of respondents did not know the actual cause of dental caries and only 38.6% of respondents knew the actual cause of dental caries. Based on the findings from the study, there is a great need of massive media enlightenment campaign through electronic media, posters, handbills and seminars on the causes and prevention of dental caries:Keywords: knowledge, Causes, Prevention, Patients and Dental Caries