Abstract
BackgroundHealthy Schools programmes may assist schools in improving the oral health of children through advocating a common risk factor approach to health promotion and by more explicit consideration of oral health. The objectives of this study were to gain a broad contextual understanding of issues around the delivery of oral health promotion as part of Healthy Schools programmes and to investigate the barriers and drivers to the incorporation of oral health promoting activities in schools taking this holistic approach to health promotion.MethodsSemi-structured telephone interviews were carried out with coordinators of Healthy Schools programmes in the Northwest of England. Interview transcripts were coded using a framework derived from themes in the interview schedule.ResultsAll 22 Healthy Schools coordinators participated and all reported some engagement of their Healthy Schools scheme with oral health promotion. The degree of this engagement depended on factors such as historical patterns of working, partnerships, resources and priorities. Primary schools were reported to have engaged more fully with both Healthy Schools programmes and aspects of oral health promotion than secondary schools. Participants identified healthy eating interventions as the most appropriate means to promote oral health in schools. Partners with expertise in oral health were key in supporting Healthy Schools programmes to promote oral health.ConclusionHealthy Schools programmes are supporting the promotion of oral health although the extent to which this is happening is variable. Structures should be put in place to ensure that the engagement of Healthy Schools with oral health is fully supported.
Highlights
BMC Oral Health 2009, 9:3 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6831/9/3 strategic leadership to local Healthy School programmes (LHSPs) by endorsing a whole-school approach focused on common risk factors (CRFs); risk factors such as diet, tobacco and exercise, which are shared by the major noncommunicable diseases [5]
The question arises 'Are preventive programmes pertinent to preventing oral disease implemented as a result of the Healthy Schools programme, or do some gaps exist?' This study suggests that there are some areas where oral health issues are fully addressed, but there are other areas where oral health issues are only partly addressed; and full coverage of oral health within the Healthy Schools programme is often dependent on historical ways of working and input from specialised dental personnel working on health promotion and supporting the school activity
Results showed that some Healthy Schools programmes were relying largely on the promotion of oral health through the CRF approach, whilst others were more explicit in promoting oral health
Summary
Introduction of interviewerConfirmation of interviewees name Confirmation that interviewee is happy for interview to be taped Explanation of research Confirmation of interview confidentiality and anonymity in reporting the data Confirmation of the interview length QuestionsI'd like to start by asking you your feelings about oral health being promoted as part of an intervention like Healthy Schools? Prompts: What do you see as the relationship between oral health and general health? Who do you think should have responsibility for promoting oral health in schools?Are there any oral health promoting activities that you think could be incorporated within a Healthy Schools programme? Prompts: What are the differences between what would be appropriate or possible in a primary or a secondary school? Are you aware whether oral health is covered in the curriculum? Are you aware whether staff receive training to teach oral health?Do you know whether oral disease is a particular problem in the local area covered by your Healthy Schools scheme? Prompt: What is the extent of this problem?Are there any members of your team who include oral health within their remit? Prompts: Who are they and what is their role? Have you or they any particular experience in any aspects of oral health promotion?Does your local area have its own Healthy Schools manual? If so, is oral health explicitly or implicitly discussed within it? Prompts: Where and how is it discussed? Are you aware of any local directives that support the promotion of oral health in Healthy Schools? Are you aware of any national directives that support the promotion of oral health in Healthy Schools?Do you have any local partners that have a role in supporting oral health promotion within schools? Prompts: What is the current activity of these partners? Is this activity carried out in all schools or selected schools? If selected schools, how are these selected? Are parents or the wider community involved in any school oral health initiatives? Are you aware of any oral health promotion programmes for school staff?Are you aware of any schools-based oral health promotion that takes place outside the Healthy Schools umbrella in your area? Prompt: Perhaps carried out by the Community Dental Service in schools that are not involved with the Healthy Schools scheme?Does consideration of the safety of the physical environment of the school environment form part of the local Healthy Schools programme? Prompt: Would schools have a policy that covers the safety of the school environment?Is the local Healthy Schools scheme promoting the use of cycle helmets and mouthguards for sports? Prompt: Would schools have a trauma and emergency care policy?. Are there any oral health promoting activities that you think could be incorporated within a Healthy Schools programme? Are you aware of any local directives that support the promotion of oral health in Healthy Schools? Are you aware of any national directives that support the promotion of oral health in Healthy Schools?. Prompt: Perhaps carried out by the Community Dental Service in schools that are not involved with the Healthy Schools scheme?. Healthy Schools programmes may assist schools in improving the oral health of children through advocating a common risk factor approach to health promotion and by more explicit consideration of oral health. BMC Oral Health 2009, 9:3 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6831/9/3 strategic leadership to local Healthy School programmes (LHSPs) by endorsing a whole-school approach focused on common risk factors (CRFs); risk factors such as diet, tobacco and exercise, which are shared by the major noncommunicable diseases [5]. Risk factors for oral cancer are common to other types of cancer, and accident prevention programmes can prevent trauma to teeth and oral tissues
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