Gums - teenagers' perceptions of health

Abstract

THE mutli-ethnic nature of inner city schools creates special problems for dental health educators. For young people to accept responsibility for their oral health there is a need for self-identification of what is healthy and a basic acceptance of self-image. This small study attempts to explore these points by rec ording the decisions children make about ethnically appropriate material. It highlights the hidden mess ages being given by current material on gum health and disease, and suggests the need for more research in this area in order to sponsor more appropriate visual aids for a multi-ethnic community.