“Effectiveness of Oral health education on Oral hygiene of School children aged 13–15 years by Dentist and School teacher - A Randomized Control Trial”

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of oral health education by dentist and school teacher on school children oral hygiene status in Dharwad city. Materials and Methods: Randomized controlled trial was conducted by selecting 6 schools and were divided into 2 government, 2 un-aided and 2 aided school. One government school was selected for dentist to provide oral health education and another government school for school teacher to provide oral health education. Similarly, with the un-aided and aided school. At the baseline Plaque index (Silness and Loe) and Gingival index (Loe and Silness) of school children was assessed. After 1 and half months reinforcement of oral health education was done followed by assessment of Plaque and Gingival index of school children after 3 months. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Intergroup comparison was done using Chi square test, Kruskal wali test. Result: Dentist educating school children showed statistical significant difference in plaque and gingival score in all the 3 school (P < 0.05). School teacher group showed Statistical significant difference in only unaided school (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dentist is effective in improving oral hygiene status of school children in all the 3 school. Whereas, school teacher are effective in only un-aided school. Keywords: Oral health education, Plaque index, Gingival index, Oral hygiene status, School children