Indonesian Journal of Dental Medicine
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): Indonesian Journal of Dental Medicine

The relationship between predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors regarding topical fluoride application and the risk of dental caries among firstgrade elementary school students in the Tambakrejo Health Center Area

Dini Setyowati (Department of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya)
Hadfi Dhaky Chairuly (Clinical Student Academic Dental and Oral Hospital, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya)
Benedicta Sellyvia (Clinical Student Academic Dental and Oral Hospital, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya)
Nur Aini Nova Airlangga (Clinical Student Academic Dental and Oral Hospital, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya)
Widya Ayu Satya Pratiwi (Clinical Student Academic Dental and Oral Hospital, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya)
Mokhammad Fauzi (Clinical Student Academic Dental and Oral Hospital, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya)
Amanda Ayu Aprilia (Clinical Student Academic Dental and Oral Hospital, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya)
Jasmine Dharmarani Saputra (Undergraduate Student, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya)
Sella Pujaya Wahyu Aifma (Undergraduate Student, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya)
Fanya Suryanti (Undergraduate Student, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya)
Tengku Natasha Eleena binti Tengku Ahmad Noor (Centre of Studies for Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Sungai Buloh)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Jul 2026

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is a common oral health issue among school-aged children, often influenced by parental knowledge, socioeconomic conditions, and access to preventive care. Based on Lawrence W. Green’s theory, health behavior is determined by predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors. Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing the implementation of topical fluoride application and their relationship with dental caries risk among first-grade students in the Tambakrejo Public Health Center area. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 21–22, 2025, involving 67 parents of first-grade students from Darussalam Islamic Elementary School, Kapasan III Public Elementary School, and Muhammadiyah 17 Elementary School, Surabaya. Data were collected using questionnaires on predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors. Caries risk was assessed using a Cariogram interview. Correlations were analyzed with Spearman’s Rho test with SPSS. Results: Parental knowledge (r = -0.719; p = 0.000), access to information (r = -0.622; p = 0.000), economic status (r = -0.331; p = 0.006), and health program support (r = -0.383; p = 0.001) were significantly and negatively correlated with caries risk. Reinforcing factors such as social (r = -0.723; p = 0.000), informational (r = -0.711; p = 0.000), and tangible support (r = -0.838; p = 0.000) also showed strong negative correlations, while emotional support (r = 0.026; p = 0.834) was not significant. Conclusion: Predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors significantly influence children’s dental caries risk. Enhanced parental knowledge and support effectively reduce caries risk.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJDM

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry

Description

Indonesian Journal of Dental Medicine accepts original manuscripts in the many fields of dentistry, including research reports and literature reviews. The spread of fields include: Oral epidemiology, Oral health services research, Preventive dentistry, Oral health education and promotion, Clinical ...