<![CDATA[Anak tunagrahita sering menghadapi hambatan dalam menjaga kesehatan gigi. Keterbatasan fisik, mental, dan perkembangannya berkaitan erat dengan kerentanan masalah kesehatan gigi. Perawatan gigi yang baik merupakan faktor utama memastikan kesehatan gigi dan mulut mereka. Oleh karena itu, penting sekali untuk memahami sejauh mana anak-anak tunagrahita dapat melakukan perawatan gigi secara mandiri serta bagaimana perilaku kesehatan gigi mereka sehari-hari dan kemampuan mereka dalam menyikat gigi. Tujuan Penelitian ini untuk mengetahui kemandirian dan perilaku kesehatan anak tunagrahita terhadap kemampuan menyikat gigi di SLB Bukesra Banda Aceh. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah analitik korelasional dengan pendekatan cross-sectional study. Sampel sebanyak 30 responden dipilih dengan menggunakan teknik total sampling. Pengumpulan data dilakukan pada tanggal 27 September sampai 12 Oktober 2023. Data dikumpulkan melalui kuesioner yang mencakup kemandirian, perilaku kesehatan gigi, dan lembar evaluasi kemampuan menyikat gigi. Analisa data hasil penelitian menggunakan uji deskriptif dan uji chi-square test. Hasil penelitian di dapatkan sebanyak 60% anak tunagrahita memiliki kebersihan mulut yang kurang bersih dan 76,7% mengalami gigi berlubang, 66% tingkat kemandirian masih memerlukan bantuan, 53% menunjukkan perilaku kesehatan gigi kurang baik dan 43,3% kemampuan menyikat gigi anak tunagrahita kurang tepat. Analisis korelasi menunjukkan adanya hubungan antara kemandirian dengan kemampuan menyikat gigi (P-value 0,045), serta antara perilaku kesehatan gigi dengan kemampuan menyikat gigi (P-value 0,004). Oleh karena itu, diperlukan upaya meningkatkan kesadaran dan keterampilan merawat kesehatan gigi pada anak tunagrahita di SLB Bukesra Banda Aceh Kata kunci: Anak Tunagrahita, Kemandirian, Perilaku kesehatan gigi, Menyikat gigi\ Abstract Children with intellectual disabilities often face challenges in maintaining dental health. Their physical, mental, and developmental limitations are closely related to the vulnerability of dental health issues. Good dental care is a key factor in ensuring their dental and oral health. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the extent to which children with intellectual disabilities can independently perform dental care and their daily dental health behaviors, including their toothbrushing abilities. The aim of this research is to determine the independence and dental health behaviors of children with intellectual disabilities regarding their toothbrushing abilities at SLB Bukesra Banda Aceh. The research method used was correlational analytics with a cross-sectional study approach. A sample of 30 respondents was selected using total sampling techniques. Data collection was conducted from September 27 to October 12, 2023. Data were collected through questionnaires covering independence, dental health behaviors, and toothbrushing ability evaluation sheets. Data analysis was performed using descriptive tests and chi-square tests. The research results showed that 60% of children with intellectual disabilities had inadequate oral hygiene, and 76.7% experienced cavities. Furthermore, 66% of them still required assistance in independence, 53% exhibited poor dental health behaviors, and 43.3% had inadequate toothbrushing abilities. Correlation analysis indicated a relationship between independence and toothbrushing abilities (P-value 0.045), as well as between dental health behaviors and toothbrushing abilities (P-value=0.004). Therefore, efforts are needed to increase awareness and skills in maintaining dental health among children with intellectual disabilities at SLB Bukesra Banda Aceh Keyword: Children with intellectual disabilities, Independence, Dental health behavior, Toothbrushing]]>
