<![CDATA[Karies gigi merupakan masalah kesehatan utama pada anak-anak, terutama pada usia sekolah dasar. Prevalensinya cukup tinggi pada anak usia sekolah dasar di Sumatera Barat. Karies dapat menyebabkan rasa sakit, gangguan makan dan tidur. Karies dapat dicegah dengan perilaku yang baik dalam menjaga kebersihan gigi. Saat ini hanya 2,8% penduduk Indonesia menyikat gigi pada waktu dan teknik yang tepat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis teknik dan waktu menyikat gigi dengan kejadian karies pada murid Sekolah Dasar di Padusunan Pariaman. Metode penelitian kuantitatif dengan desain study cross-sectional, pada 104 responden yang dipilih secara acak. Data mengenai kebiasaan menyikat gigi dinilai melalui kuesioner sedangkan karies dinilai melalui pemeriksaan klinis. Data dianalisis menggunakan uji chi-square untuk menilai hubungan antara perilaku menyikat gigi dengan karies. Hasil penelitian melaporkan terdapat 10,6% siswa mengalami karies. Terdapat hubungan antara kejadian karies dengan waktu menyikat gigi (p-value= 0,00), tekanan saat menyikat gigi (p-value= 0,03) serta penggunaan benang gigi (p-value= 0,021). Kesimpulan: perilaku menyikat gigi mempengaruhi kejadian karies pada anak sekolah. Saran: tindakan mencegah karies dapat dilakukan dengan memperbaiki waktu, frekuensi, teknik menyikat gigi pada anak-anak. Kata kunci: Anak, Durasi, Karies, Menyikat Gigi, Waktu Dental caries is a significant public health problem among children, particularly primary school students, with a relatively high prevalence in West Sumatra. Dental caries can cause pain and disrupt eating and sleeping patterns; however, it is largely preventable through appropriate oral hygiene practices. Currently, only 2.8% of the Indonesian population brushes their teeth using the correct timing and technique. This study aimed to analyze the association between tooth-brushing technique and timing and the occurrence of dental caries among primary school students in Padusunan, Pariaman. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 104 students selected through random sampling. Data on tooth-brushing behavior were collected using a structured questionnaire, while dental caries status was assessed through clinical examination. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test. The results showed that 10.6% of students had dental caries. Significant associations were found between dental caries and tooth-brushing timing (p < 0.001), brushing pressure (p = 0.03), and the use of interdental cleaning devices (p = 0.021). In conclusion, tooth-brushing behavior significantly influences the occurrence of dental caries among school-aged children. Caries prevention efforts should focus on improving tooth-brushing timing, frequency, and technique in this population. Keywords: Children, Dental Caries, Duration, Timing, Toothbrushing]]>
