<![CDATA[Background: The elevated prevalence of pediatric dental caries is closely linked to oral health-related behaviors, including high dietary sugar intake, inadequate oral hygiene practices, and insufficient fluoride exposure. Purpose: This study aimed to identify the behavioral determinants associated with dental caries occurrence among elementary school children in the urban area of Banjarmasin City. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 375 children aged 10–12 years in Banjarmasin City, selected via a multistage random sampling technique. Oral health behaviors were assessed using structured questionnaires, while caries experience was clinically evaluated using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Non-parametric analyses, specifically the Mann–Whitney U test, were utilized to assess differences in mean DMFT scores across gender, parental income status, and sugary food consumption frequency. The Kruskal–Wallis test was performed to compare mean DMFT scores across age groups, toothbrushing frequency, toothbrushing timing/duration, and frequency of dental visits. Results: The statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the mean DMFT scores across the evaluated variables (p>0.05), except for the variable frequency of tooth brushing (p=0.045) and tooth brushing time (p=0.000). Conclusion: Cases of tooth decay in children in urban areas of Banjarmasin city are still quite high, so intervention is needed, especially in improving good and correct tooth brushing behavior. Keywords: Behavior; Children; Dental caries]]>
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