GAMBARAN TINGKAT PENGETAHUAN KARIES PADA SANTRI DENGAN USIA 13-15 TAHUN (Kajian di Pondok Pesantren MTS Ma’ahid Kudus)

Background: The results of Riskesdas 2018 children aged 12 years old experienced dental caries was 65.5% and age 15 years was 67.4%. Research reports in Indonesia regarding caries status and oral hygiene are still under-researched in the adolescent age group. The system in the boarding school is that all students are required to be independent and learn to take care of themselves, therefore, dental and oral health are not paid attention to by most students. Objective: to describe the level of caries knowledge in students aged 13-15 years (study at the MTS Ma'ahid Kudus Islamic boarding school). Methods: This research is descriptive observational with cross sectional approach. The sampling technique in this study used a probability sampling technique, namely the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Results: The level of knowledge about caries in students aged 13-15 years mostly with good criteria was 40 respondents (65.6%) of 61 respondents. Conclusion: The level of knowledge about caries in students aged 13- 15 years is mostly in good criteria and the most have a good level of knowledge, namely age 13 years and the gender who has a good level of knowledge is mostly women.