The purpose of the study was to investigate perceived teeth health status and oral health behavior, as
well as their correlates, among adolescents in Cambodia. The analysis included 3806 Cambodian school
children (mean age 15.7 years, SD=1.8 years) who took part in the “Global School-based Student Health
Survey” (GSHS) in 2013. Overall, 7.8% of the students reported poor perceived teeth status, 18.0% had
missed school in the past year because of a toothache, 26.7% engaged in combined oral health behavior
(brushing teeth twice daily or more often = 79.8%, using fluoride toothpaste = 59.9%, and drinking soft
drinks less than once a day = 53.6%), and 59.9% had never visited a dentist for a routine examination
or other dental work. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age, being female, missing
school because of a toothache, having a toothache in the past 12 months, poor oral health behavior and
sedentary leisure time were associated with poor perceived teeth status. Older age, good perceived teeth
status, having had a dental check-up, washing hands before eating and after toilet use, and not eating
fast food were associated with a positive oral health behavior (brushing teeth twice daily or more often,
using fluoride toothpaste, and drinking soft drinks less than once a day). Significant proportions of poor
perceived teeth status and poor oral health behavior were found among school children in Cambodia.
Various risk factors (sociodemographic, dental variables, general health risk behaviors) for perceived poor
teeth status, oral health behavior and never having had a dental check-up were identified, which can be
utilized for intervention programs.