Oral Health in Schools and the Process of School Nursing Care

Abstract

The decayed, missing, filled (DMF) index for permanent teeth among Taiwanese students remains above 2.0, which is the target standard established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, it is imperative that oral healthcare be promoted effectively in campus and community settings. This article conducts an analysis of relevant academic, education, and health authority survey statistics and discussions, and summarizes the three stages of oral health care from 1991 and the signing by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education of the plan for health promotion in schools in 2002. Based on the school hygiene law, although the incidence of dental cavities has been declining over the years due to campus oral healthcare promotion efforts, there remain issues in need of improvement. Oral health issues must be addressed through initiatives such as the school nurse health angel program, encouraging tooth cleaning after lunch, the National Dental Hygiene Tournament, implementing the use of fluoride mouthwash, regular oral exams, and implementing corrective measures during health screenings. The results of this empirical study offers policy advice on reducing the incidence of dental cavities among school-age children in Taiwan. In light of the deep relationships between school nurses and students, teachers, and parents, it is our mission to ensure that oral healthcare in Taiwan will soon reach WHO standards and meet the expectations of parents and society.