Hubungan Pengetahuan tentang Mengonsumsi Makanan Berserat dengan Tindakan Pencegahan Karies pada Murid SD Negeri 12 Banda Aceh

Abstract

Dental caries is one of the most common oral health problems among elementary school-aged children. Knowledge of fiber-rich food consumption is important for caries prevention, as fibrous foods help clean tooth surfaces naturally and stimulate saliva production. Preliminary data from a community health nursing practicum in October 2025 showed that 24 of 31 children examined (80%) had dental caries, with an average DMFT score of 2. This study aimed to determine the relationship between knowledge of fiber-rich food consumption and caries prevention actions among students of SD Negeri 12 Banda Aceh. A cross-sectional design was used, with a population of 171 students and 63 respondents selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using the Spearman Rank Correlation test. The results showed that most respondents had poor knowledge of fiber-rich food consumption (42 respondents, 66.7%) and poor caries prevention actions (53 respondents, 84.1%). The Spearman Rank Correlation test yielded a p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), indicating a significant relationship with moderate strength and a positive direction. In conclusion, there is a significant relationship between knowledge of fiber-rich food consumption and caries prevention actions among students of SD Negeri 12 Banda Aceh. Schools and parents are encouraged to improve education and promote the habit of consuming fiber-rich foods and maintaining children's oral hygiene.