Oral Health Education Intervention Research Articles

Oral Health Educational Intervention for Primary Healthcare Providers Using the Flipped Approach

Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of a flipped oral health educational program for primary healthcare providers (PHCPs) on their knowledge, attitude, and practice.Materials and Methods: This field trial was conducted on PHCPs (N=118; 61 cases and 57 controls) in District Health Centers (DHCs) of Tehran, Iran in 2012. The participants filled out a self-report questionnaire with questions on knowledge (N=34), attitude (N=8), and oral health practice (N=14). The intervention included an educational booklet delivered to the staff followed by a brief educational session using the flipped approach and a reminder pamphlet after 1 month. After 4 months, the questionnaire was completed again by the participants. Statistical analysis included paired sample t-test, ANCOVA, and linear and logistic regression.Results: Most participants were females (N=114), and the mean age was 37±8 years. The scores of the three domains of knowledge and also the total knowledge score, the attitude score, and the practice score significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Knowledge about the oral health of children (P=0.001) and the total knowledge score (P<0.05) significantly increased in the control group, but the increase in other domains was not statistically significant (P>0.05).Conclusion: The oral health knowledge of PHCPs was insufficient, and their practice and attitude were not desirable. The oral health educational program with the flipped approach had a positive impact on the PHCPs’ knowledge, attitude and practice, and may be utilized in the academic curriculum or continuing medical education (CME) courses.

Multilevel Interventions and Dental Attendance in Pediatric Primary Care

Untreated tooth decay is disproportionately present among low-income young children. While American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines require pediatric clinicians to implement oral health care, the effectiveness of these oral health interventions has been inconclusive. To test the effectiveness of multilevel interventions in increasing dental attendance and reducing untreated decay among young children attending well-child visits (WCVs). The Pediatric Providers Against Cavities in Children's Teeth study is a cluster randomized clinical trial that was conducted at 18 pediatric primary care practices in northeast Ohio. The trial data were collected between November 2017 and July 2022, with data analyses conducted from August 2022 to March 2023. Eligible participants included Medicaid-enrolled preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years attending WCVs at participating practices who were enrolled at baseline (WCV 1) and followed-up for 2 consecutive examinations (WCV 2 and WCV 3). Clinicians in the intervention group received both the practice-level (electronic medical record changes to document oral health) and clinician-level (common-sense model of self-regulation theory-based oral health education and skills training) interventions. Control group clinicians received AAP-based standard oral health education alone. Dental attendance was determined through clinical dental examinations conducted by hygienists utilizing International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria and also from Medicaid claims data. Untreated decay was determined through clinical examinations. A generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach was used for both clinical examinations and Medicaid claims data. Eighteen practices were randomized to either intervention or control. Participants included 63 clinicians (mean [SD] age, 47.0 [11.3] years; 48 female [76.2%] and 15 male [23.8%]; 28 in the intervention group [44.4%]; 35 in the control group [55.6%]) and 1023 parent-child dyads (mean [SD] child age, 56.1 [14.0] months; 555 male children [54.4%] and 466 female children [45.6%]; 517 in the intervention group [50.5%]; 506 in the control group [49.5%]). Dental attendance from clinical examinations was significantly higher in the intervention group (170 children [52.0%]) vs control group (150 children [43.1%]) with a difference of 8.9% (95% CI, 1.4% to 16.4%; P = .02). The GEE model using clinical examinations showed a significant increase in dental attendance in the intervention group vs control group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.69). From Medicaid claims, the control group had significantly higher dental attendance than the intervention group at 2 years (332 children [79.6%] vs 330 children [73.7%]; P = .04) but not at 3 years. A clinically but not statistically significant reduction in mean number of untreated decay was found in the intervention group compared with controls (B = -0.27; 95% CI, -0.56 to 0.02). In this cluster randomized clinical trial, children in the intervention group had better dental outcomes as was evidenced by increased dental attendance and lower untreated decay. These findings suggest that intervention group clinicians comprehensively integrated oral health services into WCVs. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03385629.

Effectiveness of Educational Videos Comparing Single Versus Multiple Topics: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Dental caries and gingivitis are preventable diseases that remain highly prevalent among children globally and, while transmissible through the transfer of oral bacteria typically from mother to child, differ from communicable diseases that are spread through direct contact, air, or vectors. Unlike communicable diseases, dental caries and gingivitis can be effectively prevented through proper oral hygiene practices and dietary modifications. Oral health education (OHE) intends to improve oral hygiene practices and reduce oral health problems. However, evidence of the impact of multiple topics in OHE on preschool children is lacking. This study aimed to examine the effects of single- versus multiple-topic OHE delivered via video presentations on the plaque and gingival status of preschool children. Methods A parallel five-arm cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted on healthy preschool children aged five and six years. Children with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or conditions that could affect their oral health or ability to participate in the OHE intervention were excluded. OHE interventions were given to children from eight of the 10 classes assigned as intervention groups, while two classes served as the control group and received no intervention. The intervention groups received one, two, or three oral health topics using specially developed animation videos, in Malay language: toothbrushing technique (T), toothbrushing technique and the effects of sugar consumption on oral health (TS), toothbrushing technique and pathogenesis of dental caries and gingivitis (TP), and toothbrushing technique, the effects of sugar consumption on oral health, and pathogenesis of dental caries and gingivitis (TSP). Plaque and gingival scores, along with oral health knowledge, attitude, and skills (KAS), were recorded before and after the intervention. The CONSORT guidelines were followed in reporting. The analyses included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, effect sizes, and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) at a 5% significance level. Results A total of 160 participants were equally distributed into five groups (n = 32). There were no baseline differences in plaque or gingival scores. All groups showed significantly lower plaque and gingival scores post-intervention (p < 0.05), with effect sizes ranging from -1.1 to -0.7. No changes in oral health (KAS) were observed. The intervention groups had significantly lower plaque and gingival scores compared to the control group (p < 0.05), but no differences were found between them after adjusting for baseline KAS (p > 0.05). Conclusions This study suggests that including multiple topics in OHE programs for preschool children may not necessarily improve oral health outcomes. Simplified OHE may be more advantageous in terms of time, cost, human resources, and organization.

Impact of diet on oral health

: To assess the co relation between dietary habits and oral health conditions among the general population exploring the potential impact of various food choices on factors such as cavities, gum heath, and over all oral hygieneThe primary objectives include: 1. Assess the frequency and types of food consumed by participants to identify patterns in dietary choices; 2. Examine the relationship between dietary sugar intake and the occurrence of dental cavities; 3. Explore the association between specific food groups and the development of oral health issues.A comprehensive questionnaire consisting of 15 questions was designed and administered through Google Forms to collect data on oral hygiene practices. Participants aged 15 and above were randomly sampled, ensuring a diverse representation. The questionnaire focused on aspects such as type of diet, type of beverages and its frequency, frequency of snacking, water consumption, habits if any, carious tooth and gum diseases. Data collection was conducted through online responses.The survey results, obtained through Google Forms, revealed intriguing disparities in oral hygiene and impact of dietary preferences on various age groups. Variations were observed based on the quality and choice of diet, frequency of snacking, choice of beverages, water intake and habits if any.In conclusion, this study, utilizing Google Forms for data collection, highlighted diversity in oral hygiene among individuals aged 15 and above. Recognizing these variations is crucial for tailoring oral health education programs and interventions to address the specific needs of different age groups. The findings underscore the importance of personalized oral care approaches and the impact of choice nutrition to promote optimal oral health across the population.

Factors associated with oral health service utilization among young people in southern China

ObjectivesTo identify the patterns and influencing factors of oral health service utilization among college students, and further to provide scientific evidence for policy making on oral health education and behavioral interventions for the college population.MethodsThe study population was college students in Southern China. Totally 678 students participated in the survey. A self-designed questionnaire based on Anderson’s model (predisposing factors, enabling factors, need factors) was used to survey college students. Descriptive statistics, χ2 test, and logistic regression were used to analyze influence factors of oral health service utilization among college students.ResultsThe utilization rate of oral health service in the past 12 months was 30.2%. The primary type of oral health service was treatment (59.6%), and only 12.8% were for prevention. There were 39% of the participants having oral health diseases, of which dental caries (25.7%) and oral bleeding (22.2%) were the main problems. The results from logistic regression analysis revealed that students with better beliefs (OR = 1.84, 95% CI:=1.02–3.43), frequent consumption of sugary drinks (OR = 2.90, 95% CI:=1.90–4.47), teeth brushing frequency > = 2 times per day (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.24–3.61), frequent floss utilization (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.21–5.76), dental caries (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.35–3.17) used oral health services higher, while those lived in rural areas (OR:0.52, 95% CI = 0.34–0.80), and had only a fair concern (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.31–0.74) or no concern (OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.08–0.67) on oral health utilized oral health services lower.ConclusionsChinese college students demonstrate some knowledge and attitudes towards oral health. However, they tend to neglect oral hygiene and have limited understanding of their own oral issues. Furthermore, the utilization of oral services, such as treatment, remains remarkably low, despite the availability of long-term and favorable health insurance policies. The utilization of oral health services among college students is influenced by various factors, including residing in rural areas, consuming sugary beverages on a daily basis, brushing teeth at least twice a day, and practicing flossing.

Effectiveness of Oral Health Education Interventions Using Braille on Oral Health among Visually Impaired Children: Proposal for a Systematic Review

ABSTRACT To assess how oral health education (OHE) techniques using braille affect visually impaired children’s awareness of oral health, oral hygiene status and practices, plaque, gingival health, and dental caries status. From 2010 to 2020, a thorough literature search will be conducted for studies in the English language using PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Open Grey. Data extraction will be done after two reviewers extensively evaluate the papers for qualifying requirements. In accordance with the research designs, a quality evaluation of the chosen studies will be conducted. With the use of the program Review Manager 5.3, a meta-analysis will be completed.

Raising awareness in the community: Addressing the consequences of missing teeth in the oral cavity through a community service program

A community service program is designed to raise awareness among the general population regarding the detrimental consequences of missing teeth in the oral cavity. This program aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their oral health by providing comprehensive information and practical solutions to address the challenges associated with missing teeth. The paper highlights the significance of addressing the consequences of missing teeth. It also emphasizes the importance of oral health education, prevention, and early intervention in maintaining optimal oral health. The community service program utilizes a multi-faceted approach to engage individuals of diverse backgrounds. It includes informative workshops, interactive sessions, and demonstrations to foster a greater understanding of the causes, prevention, and available treatment options for missing teeth. The program also collaborates with local oral health professionals and organizations to provide access to affordable dental care. By facilitating access to appropriate dental services, the program endeavors to increase awareness, foster a sense of responsibility, and improve the quality of life for community members affected by missing teeth. Ultimately, the result is that we can serve as a comprehensive guide for developing and implementing similar community service programs centered around raising awareness of the consequences of missing teeth. It underscores the potential impact of such initiatives in fostering a healthier and more informed community while advocating for the importance of oral health in overall well-being.

Oral health education interventions may improve the oral health status of older people.

PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science. Experimental and quasi-experimental interventional studies. Two authors independently evaluated the included studies using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) quality assessment tool, and any discrepancies in the scoring of the quality assessment tool were resolved through discussion or by involving a third author. The outcome was descriptive in nature. Twenty-three studies were included in the review (17 RCTs and 6 quasi-experimental). The studies showed improvement in all areas related to oral health of the older people after implementation of the interventions. Well-structured oral health educational programs may help improve the oral health of older people. However, more robust evidence is needed in this area.

Assessing the Level of Oral Health Knowledge and Practice among State University Students in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Background Oral health is often ignored, especially among young adults, posing risks to overall health and well-being. In Enugu State, Nigeria, like every other place in the globe, inadequate oral health knowledge and practices among university students are of great concern. Hence, this study focuses on state university students, recognizing their unique challenges such as study pressures and limited access to oral healthcare. Understanding their oral health knowledge and practices is essential for targeted interventions. Data generate can inform the state governments to prioritize oral health initiatives and allocate resources effectively within the region, addressing a critical public health concern. Aim This study elucidated assessing level of Oral health knowledge and practice among State University students in Enugu State, Nigeria. Methods The sample of the study comprised 786 students drawn through a multistage sampling selection method. A pre-tested, well-structured questionnaire was the main instrument of data collection for assessing level of Oral health knowledge and practice among State University students in Enugu State, Nigeria. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23 was used for analysis. Results Findings showed 34% of students possess inadequate oral health knowledge while lesser percentage of students 1% showed poor oral health practice compared to students’ total population. Whereas socio-economic status indeed plays a role in shaping students’ oral health knowledge and practices, potentially warranting targeted interventions to address disparities and promote oral health equity among university students. However, Chi-square analysis reveals demographic variables’ associations with knowledge and practice levels among students. Gender lacks significance in both areas (p=0.47 for knowledge; p=0.175 for practice). However, age significantly correlates with knowledge (p&lt;0.001), and class level associates highly with both knowledge and practice (p&lt;0.001). Thus, age and class significantly influence students’ habits. Conclusion Relevant oral health educational interventions are required to promote oral health knowledge and practice among State University students in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Abstract C135: The oral microbiome and short chain fatty acids as contributors to oral HPV disparities in Puerto Rican people with HIV

Abstract Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common malignancy worldwide, accounting for more than 70% of oropharyngeal cancers. People living with HIV (PWH) are disproportionately affected by HPV infection and are at higher risk of HPV-associated oral complications, dysplasia, and cancer, even with suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART), suggesting that ART may not fully recover oral HPV-specific immunity. Particularly, Puerto Rico (PR) has a significant burden and disparity for both HIV and HPV infections and related cancers. Dysbiosis of the oral microbiome occurs in PWH, characterized by a decrease in diversity, and a change in the abundance of microbial products important for human health and disease. The relationship of the oral microbiome with HPV infection is poorly understood, particularly in PWH. In this study, we measured oral microbial diversity and products, such as short chain fatty acids (SCFA), in saliva and evaluated them in the context of HPV infection in PWH. We evaluated 48 sexually active PWH (17 HPV+ and 31 HPV-) from a community clinic in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Oral rinse samples were collected and analyzed for HPV infection and genotyped using the DNA ELISA kit HPV SPF10 and RHA kit HPV SPF10-LiPA25 which detects 40 HPV subtypes. We characterized oral prokaryotic communities by sequencing 16S rDNA and quantified the levels of SCFAs (acetate, propionate, iso-butyrate, butyrate, iso-valerate, valerate, and hexanoate) in saliva using GC-MS. Statistical analyses of bacterial diversity and levels of SCFA were assessed in relation to HPV status using R-statistical software. PWH had a median CD4 count of 738 cells/µL [IQR: 649-887]. PWH with HPV had a 73% (11/15) of high-risk HPV genotypes, with HPV-18 being the most prevalent subtype (6/17). While there was no significant difference in alpha diversity (Shannon: p=0.23 and Observed features: p=0.28), bacterial communities were clustered according to HPV status using a Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index. Furthermore, PWH with HPV showed higher levels of butyrate (p=0.07) and significantly lower levels of hexanoate (p=0.05) in saliva. Particularly, PWH with the HPV-18 subtype had lower levels of hexanoate than other HPV subtypes and HPV- PWH (p=0.03). Overall, these findings suggest that the oral microbiome and SCFA are associated with HPV infection and the presence of specific HPV subtypes. While a difference in bacterial diversity might not be driving HPV infection, different bacterial groupings might affect the abundance of specific SCFA, such as butyrate, which can contribute to local inflammation and periodontal tissue damage, providing an ideal environment for HPV infection and persistence. Understanding how the oral microbiota could facilitate HPV infection and other comorbidities in PWH is crucial for the development of cancer prevention and reduce the burden of HPV-associated malignancies in PWH. Furthermore, HPV vaccine-oriented and oral health educational interventions should target this high-risk group. Citation Format: Yabdiel A. Ramos Valerio, Eduardo S. Perez Delgado, Maria M. Sanchez, Ramon F. Gonzalez Garcia, Ana P. Ortiz Martinez, Magaly Martinez Ferrer, Josue Perez Santiago. The oral microbiome and short chain fatty acids as contributors to oral HPV disparities in Puerto Rican people with HIV [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C135.

The Effectiveness of Oral Health Education Among Non-dental Healthcare Professionals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Quasi-experimental Study.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the level of oral health knowledge and practices among non-dental health professionals and to evaluate the effectiveness of oral health education provided to them. A convenience sample was recruited from non-dental healthcare professionals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to participants to evaluate their oral health knowledge and behavior. Then, oral health educational material (a video) that was specifically developed for the study was sent to all participants to educate them about some oral health information related to adult oral health, oral signs of some systemic diseases, and the oral side effects of some medications. Two weeks later, the same questionnaire was sent to these participants to assess the effectiveness of the oral health education provided to them. The pre-intervention questionnaire results revealed a lack of oral health knowledge and inadequate oral health practices among the participants. After the intervention, the level of knowledge improved significantly from 6.4±2.2 to 10.4±3.8 out of 16 (p <0.001). The oral health education intervention used in the current study was effective in improving oral health knowledge among non-dental healthcare professionals.

The impact of health education interventions on oral health promotion among older people: a systematic review

BackgroundOne of the most common pathologic changes in older people is oral and dental problems. The oral health of older people is a public health concern. Promotion of good oral health for this cohort will have beneficial impacts on the longer-term quality of life. This study aimed to identify the types of health education interventions for the oral health of older people and to determine their effects on the oral and dental health of older people.MethodsPotential articles were retrieved from four electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Embase) up to 31 September 2022 in English without limit of time. Experimental and quasi-experimental interventional studies investigating the impact of educational interventions on oral and dental health among older people over 60 years old in both sexes were considered. The quality assessment tool was the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP).ResultsIn the initial search, 1104 articles were retrieved. Finally, according to the inclusion criteria, 23 studies (seventeen randomized controlled trials (RCT) and six quasi-experimental studies) were reviewed. In this review, educational interventions for older people and their caregivers are classified. Theoretical frameworks were used in only three interventions related to older people. Outcome measures were both self-reported and objective measures. Fifteen of the included studies were of moderate quality.ConclusionThis review provides evidence that the use of oral and dental health educational interventions was effective in improving the oral health of older people. Educational interventions were carried out both among older people and among their caregivers. Although a variety of interventions were used in the reviewed studies, more lectures were used in the interventions related to older people. In the interventions related to caregivers, in addition to lectures, practical education was also used. It is recommended to perform higher quality studies for assessing the effectiveness of interventions in this field.

A pre and post-test assessment of oral health intervention: caregivers’ knowledge and attitudes at long-term care facilities in the eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal.

Oral health remains a neglected aspect of health care among vulnerable populations residing at long-term care facilities. Routine oral health education and training for caregivers have the potential to improve oral health provision. Aims and Objectives To determine the effect of an oral health intervention on caregivers’ knowledge and attitudes. Methods This exploratory study utilised a pre/post-test assessment approach. A total of participated. A pre-test questionnaire was distributed among 145 caregivers from seven long-term care facilities in eThekwini district. An online oral health educational intervention was implemented four weeks later. Six months later, a post-test questionnaire was administered. A Mann-Whitney test and paired sample test were used for statistical analysis. p&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Participants (n=19; 13.1%) reported that brushing twice a day and flossing were the two most important dental habits in the pre-intervention phase, compared to 71% (n=103) in the post-intervention phase. Caregivers (n=124; 85.5%) in the pre-intervention phase reported to feel that they should be trained in providing oral health care, compared to 93.8% (n=136) in the post-intervention phase. Conclusion The oral health intervention had a positive effect on caregivers’ knowledge and attitudes. This finding necessitates routine oral health education and training for caregivers.

Effectiveness of oral hygiene educational interventional programs on participants with Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled study.

The objective was to evaluate oral health-related knowledge, and to compare the effectiveness of three different oral health education interventions (OHEI) on plaque removal in a cohort with Parkinson disease. The three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial included 63 Parkinson disease stage 1 and 2 patients aged ≥ 40 years and scores ≥ 26 in both Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and Mini-Mental State Exam. These patients were allocated to three OHEI groups: lectures, presentation, and demonstration. The validated questionnaire assessed knowledge level at baseline (0), 1, 2, and 3 months. Oral hygiene at 0 and 3 months was assessed by the Plaque Index and the Patient Hygiene Performance Index (PHPI). Unstimulated whole saliva was collected to assess the salivary flow rate. Pairwise comparison using ANOVA showed a significant decrease in mean percentage knowledge 0, 1, 2, and 3 months in all three groups (P < .001). After Tukey post-hoc analysis the presentation group had significantly higher knowledge (P = .030). ANOVA showed that the percentage of knowledge decreased as time passed (P = .001). Comparison of means of Plaque Index and PHPI scores by MANOVA followed by Tukey post-hoc analysis showed significant decrease in Plaque Index scores from 0 to 3 months (P = .001). No significant change in the salivary flow rate was noted. Pictorial representation of OHEI is a better mode of intervention compared to lectures and demonstrations in Parkinson disease stage 1 and 2 patients. Despite the decline in knowledge with time, Plaque Index scores reduced significantly, implying that this form OHEI offers positive benefits.

Evaluation of oral health education programs for oral health of individuals with visual impairment: An umbrella review.

To exemplify, summarize and critically appraise the systematic reviews (SRs) that evaluated different oral health education (OHE) interventions in individuals with visual impairment (VI). Six electronic databases were searched for SRs evaluating OHE programs in individuals with VI. The internal validity of the included SRs was evaluated using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) tool. The degree of overlap of the primary studies in the included SRs was calculated using the "corrected covered area (CCA)" approach. Seven SRs were included in this umbrella review that included 30 primary studies with a CCA of 26% (very high overlap). Six of the included SRs were assessed to have critically low confidence in the results, whereas only one had moderate confidence. A combination of various OHE methods for individuals with VI might be better than using one method alone to improve oral hygiene. There is no conclusive evidence that one OHE method is superior to others. However, the evidence of OHE in improving the outcomes related to dental trauma or caries is inconclusive. Furthermore, it appears that most of the evaluations of oral health programs come from limited parts of the world, and data from many other regions is lacking.

Effect of motivational interviewing on oral and dental health of adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances

Introduction: Orthodontic appliances increase the risk of dental caries and gum disease. Since it is rather difficult to maintain oral hygiene in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances due to the presence of brackets, bands, and arch wires, they should be persuaded to take care of their oral cavity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an oral and dental health educational intervention using motivational interviewing in adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Thirty adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances aged 12-16 years presenting to orthodontics departments of school of dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, received individual counselling, verbal guidelines, and training for correct brushing and flossing techniques by a senior student of dentistry during a 20-minute motivational interview. To evaluate the effect of the intervention, oral health behaviors including brushing, flossing, and consumption of sugary snacks were collected in a self-report manner. Moreover, plaque and gingival indexes were measured before and one-month post intervention. The SPSS software version 23 was used for data analysis.&#x0D; Results: Among oral health behaviors, optimal frequency of brushing increased after the intervention (p=0.002). The mean plaque index was 0.99±0.43 before and 0.37±0.16 after the intervention, indicating a significant difference (p&lt;0.001). Moreover, the mean gingival index (average inflammation) was 0.99±0.56 before the intervention, which improved to 0.30±0.20 after the intervention (p&lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: Educational intervention based on motivational interviewing reduced dental plaques and gingival inflammation and increased the frequency of brushing in the short term among adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Unleashing the most effective oral health education intervention technique for improving the oral hygiene status and oral health knowledge in visually impaired young individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Appropriate oral health education (OHE) plays a vital role in prevention of oral diseases and would bridge the gap between dentists and visually impaired individuals. Hence, this systematic review was planned with an aim to evaluate effectiveness of various OHE techniques on the oral hygiene status and oral health knowledge of visually impaired young individuals. An electronic search extended to September 30, 2020 was conducted on PubMed, Wiley, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Cochrane library, EBSCO, and Google Scholar. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies using a two-stage process; data were extracted according to PRISMA statement. Risk of bias assessment of selected studies was executed according to the study designs. Meta-analysis using the random-effects model was conducted for the outcomes for all oral health education techniques using STATASE 16.1 software. Hand and electronic search identified 3829 articles. After screening for titles and duplicates, 37 articles were retrieved, which were screened through abstract and full text. Of the 37 articles, 17 articles were included for qualitative synthesis, and out of that, 13 were for meta-analysis. Ten variations in oral health education (OHE) techniques were used in the included 17 studies to impart oral health education to visually impaired young individuals. Overall, all OHE techniques demonstrated a positive impact on oral hygiene status. The pooled overall cumulative mean difference of the oral hygiene status after imparting education in ATP, Audio, and Braille was 1.33 [1.06, 1.59], 1.76 [1.11, 2.42], and 1.96 [1.40, 2.55], respectively. An appropriate OHE technique boosts confidence in visually impaired young individuals, making the learning process an enjoyable experience. Use of either Braille or the ATP OHE technique was found to be a reliable and useful method to improve oral hygiene of visually impaired young individuals.

Assessment of the oral health literacy and oral health behaviors among nurses in China: a cross-sectional study

PurposeOral health is important for general health; nurses are expected to possess good oral health awareness and work together for public oral health promotion. The purpose of this study is to investigate oral health literacy (OHL)and oral health behaviors of nurses, and explore the association between oral health literacy with demographic variables and oral health behaviors.MethodsA cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital was conducted using a short-form Health Literacy in Dentistry-14 (HeLD-14) and a 16-items oral health behaviors questionnaire. Information about the subjects’ demographic details including age, gender, place of residence, marital status, marital status, education level, monthly household income, working experience, etc. were collected. Independent sample t- test, One- way ANOVA, and multivariable regression were used to identify the association of oral health literacy with demographic variables and oral health behaviors.ResultsA total number of 317 nursing nurses participated in the survey, with a mean OHL score of 36.72, SD10.531, 21.8% were categorized as good, 34.1% medium and 44.2% poor oral health literacy; monthly household income, self-rated oral health, brushing time, use of fluoride toothpaste, and regular oral examination were signficantly associated with OHL scores.ConclusionThe overall oral health literacy of the nurse population is at a moderate to low level. These findings may help to map and design an oral health education intervention to improve oral health literacy amongst nurses, especially nurses with low monthly household income and poor self-assessed oral health status. Nursing administrators and nursing educators should pay more attention to the oral health status of the nurse population.

School Age Children Knowledge regarding Oral Hygiene- Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme in a selected school Bangalore, Karnataka

Background of the study: Oral hygiene is the regular practice of keeping one's mouth clean and free of disease and other problems (e.g. bad breath) by regular brushing of the teeth (dental hygiene) and cleaning between the teeth. It is very important that oral hygiene shall be carried out on a regular basis to enable the prevention of dental diseases and bad breath. Objectives of the study: To assess the effectiveness of planned teaching program onknowledge regarding oral hygiene among school age children. Methods: Pre experimental, one group pre and post test design was adopted in this study. The sample were chosen by non-probabilityconveniencesampling technique followed by purposivesampling method, consist of 40 school age childrens. The study was conducted at St Philomena English School, Kumaraswamy layout, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Self- structured knowledge questionnaire is given to assess the knowledge on oral hygiene. Which followed by a planned teaching program on oral hygiene and administering the same questionnaire to assess the post test. Results: The findings of the study showed that the overall mean post-test knowledge score regardingoral hygiene among school age children was 15.35% with SD of 4.86 was significantly higher than the mean of pre-test 6.65% with SD of 2.17. Computed paired t-value 11.9 was higher than the table value 2.02 at p &lt;0.05 level, there was significant association was found between the pre-test and post-test knowledge score. The results of the study revealed that majority of the respondents had inadequate knowledge regarding oral hygiene 14(35%) Moderate knowledge 1(2.5%) in the pre-test level. A Total 23(57.5%) had moderateand15(37.5%) had adequate knowledge regarding oral hygiene in the post test level. Conclusion: School-based oral health education interventions can have positive impacts on behavioural outcomes among children.our study concluded that the planned teaching programme on knowledge regarding oral hygiene among school age children in selected school, Bangalore was found to be effective in the enhancing knowledge of school age children as evidenced by the significant change between pre-test and post-test knowledge score.

The impact of oral health education on the incidence and severity of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Oral health education is an effective measure to prevent oral mucositis (OM) by improving self-management and effectively engaging patients in their health care. This systematic review aimed to determine the impact of oral health education interventions on the incidence and severity of OM. Bibliographical searches were carried out by two independent examiners in Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Virtual Health Library, and SIGLE, until June 2022. The eligibility criteria were based on the PICO strategy, considering studies with pediatric oncology patients, aged 0 to 19years, who had attended oral health education activities and had been examined for the incidence and/or severity of OM. Data were extracted for qualitative synthesis and organized in spreadsheets. The quality assessment of the selected studies was performed using the ROBINS-I tool. Meta-analysis was based on the group frequencies of OM ulcerative lesions, adopting a significance level of 5%. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to define the certainty of the evidence. The primary search retrieved 1827 articles. After removing duplicate records and screening titles and abstracts for eligibility, a total of 21 articles were selected for full-text analysis. Of these, seven eligible studies were included for data extraction and qualitative synthesis, while four studies were selected for quantitative synthesis. All studies had a longitudinal design; three performed a before-after comparison and four were controlled studies. OM was assessed by the following scales: OAG, WHO, ChIMES, and WCCNR. While data analysis of the selected studies was heterogeneous, the implementation of oral health education strategies was found to reduce the incidence and severity of OM during the follow-up period. The meta-analysis showed a favorable outcome for the educational intervention. The likelihood of patients attending oral health education activities to manifest OM ulcerative lesions was significantly lower (P = 0.002) than that of the control. The GRADE analysis presented a low certainty of the evidence. To conclude, oral health education interventions improved OM outcomes in pediatric oncology patients with a low quality of evidence.