Abstract
We have evaluated the impact of a school-based intervention on oral health knowledge, behaviours, and oral health status of adolescents in Vietnam. This 6-month study included 462 adolescents aged 12 years from four selected schools in Hue City, Vietnam. The intervention group received a 15-min lecture by a dentist and hands-on session on mouth observation and toothbrushing skills. The control group did not engage in any educational activities during the follow-up period. Data were collected at baseline and 6 months through a survey questionnaire and clinical examination. The Debris Index was used for dental plaque; the Papillary, Marginal, Attached gingiva index for gingivitis; and the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth index (World Health Organization modification) for dental caries. Difference-in-difference analysis was used to compare changes between the groups. After 6 months, the control tended to show decreased toothbrushing frequency and increased dental plaque accumulation. The participants in the intervention group showed improved oral health knowledge (p < 0.01), behavior (p < 0.05), and hygiene (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. However, the intervention did not improve dental caries and gingivitis. A single school-based oral health education program can help adolescents improve oral health knowledge and prevent the deterioration of short-term oral health behavior and hygiene.
Highlights
Oral diseases are one of the most prevalent childhood problems and remain a major public health burden worldwide [1,2]
According to the chewing test results, masticatory performance significantly improved in both the intervention group (IG) and control group (CG)
A literature review by Kay and Locker [42] on oral health promotion programs noted that a simple provision of information was sufficient to increase oral health knowledge; changes in knowledge, attitude, and beliefs may not lead to a change in behavior or health
Summary
Oral diseases are one of the most prevalent childhood problems and remain a major public health burden worldwide [1,2]. Children with poor oral health are more likely to experience toothache and poor performance at school [3]. There is broad agreement that oral hygiene behavior is important for everyone and should be performed every day from the beginning of the first tooth eruption [6,7]. Prevention programs that aim to improve oral hygiene and strengthen oral health in children have been developed in a range of different countries [8]. Adolescents, as 12-year-old, have completed their permanent dentition and are independently able to take care of their oral health
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