Dental caries is one of the most common health problems found in school-aged children. Promotive and preventive efforts are needed to prevent caries, one of which is through dental and oral health promotion. This community service activity aims to improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding dental and oral health based on Islamic education among fourth-grade students of SDN Balang Boddong. The research method used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. Data collection was conducted by distributing questionnaires to 35 respondents. The results showed that the majority of respondents had a good level of knowledge (86%), positive attitudes (54%), and good behavior (60%). The conclusion of this community service activity is that a health promotion approach based on Islamic education has the potential to increase understanding and support changes in behavior regarding dental and oral health maintenance.

The prime motive of this study was oral health promotion on the appropriate use of dental floss among women undergraduate students of South India. The aim is to measure the impact of health promotion in increasing awareness and enhancing attitudes and practices regarding the proper use of dental floss to improve their overall oral health. This is a multisite quasi-experimental pretest, posttest study among women undergraduate students aged 18-25 years. Data were recorded, and an oral health talk and demonstration on the appropriate use of dental floss was provided to the study subjects, who were again examined after 4 weeks, and their oral hygiene status and adherence to dental floss usage were assessed. Oral hygiene status of study subjects was measured using the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S) and Patient Hygiene Performance Index (PHP) indices. Statistical analysis was done using paired t-test and Pearson's correlation. Debris Index-Simplified (DI-S), OHI-S and PHP indices showed a very highly significant reduction from baseline to 4-week follow-up (p < 0.000), indicating considerable improvement in the oral hygiene status of study subjects. PHP index scores significantly increased with age (p < 0.037, Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.28), indicating that younger participants showed a higher reduction in PHP index scores. Significant improvement in oral hygiene status shows that oral health education and promotion of dental floss have inculcated the habit of regular flossing among women undergraduate students of South India. It is also seen that the younger age group showed better results, implying a more adaptable age for learning.

Objectives: Psychological disorders are prevalent medical conditions that can negatively affect oral health. Due to the increase in the elderly population, and higher risk of psychological conditions in this age group, this study assessed the association of mental health evaluated by the 28-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and oral health in the elderly patients. Materials and Methods: Overall, 150 elderly patients aged 60 years and higher presenting to the dental clinic of School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2019 participated in this cross-sectional study. Oral and dental examinations were conducted to assess the dental caries status using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, number of existing teeth, and self-reported dry mouth. Sociodemographic status, oral hygiene behaviors, and medical history of the participants were also recorded. The GHQ-28 was used to assess their mental health. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 25 using the correlation tests (alpha=0.05). Results: Of all the participants, 64 (42.7%) were females, and the age range was 60 to 90 years (mean age: 67.56±6.42 years). The mean total GHQ score was 4±3.8. The DMFT score and number of teeth had significant associations with severe depression and social dysfunction (P&lt;0.05). Dry mouth was directly associated with the total GHQ score and anxiety (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Elderly people with severe depression suffered from poor oral health. Comprehensive oral and dental examination and paying close attention to mental health aspects should be considered in regular dental check-ups and oral health promotion programs for the elderly.

In South Africa, oral diseases are a significant public health concern. The Western Cape has a high prevalence of dental caries, with rates increasing from 82% to 84% in 6-year-olds over a 13-year period. This study explored the experiences of oral hygienists, children and their parents to generate insights that can inform the design of a new approach to oral health promotion (OHP). This exploratory descriptive qualitative study was conducted within an interpretivist paradigm using semi-structured individual interviews with three groups of participants: oral hygienists, children aged 8-12 years and their parents. The study was conducted at the dental public health facilities in the Western Cape Metropole. The transcripts were thematically analysed using ATLAS.ti software and guided by the Ritchie and Spencer framework approach to thematic analysis. Seven main themes were identified: oral health promotion approaches and effectiveness, professional development, barriers and challenges, children and parents' oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices, parental influence and family dynamics, cultural and socio-economic considerations and engagement between oral hygienists, parents and children. Resource limitations within the public dental healthcare system had a negative effect on the hygienists' ability to deliver effective OHP services. Although oral hygienists employ diverse methods, including practical demonstrations and interactive techniques, current OHP strategies remain inadequate to address the high burden of dental caries. These findings support the development of an alternative approach to OHP in this setting.Contribution:The study contributes to understanding the role of family dynamics in reducing the burden of oral diseases among children in the Western Cape.

To explore the perceptions and practices of women in peri/menopause towards oral healthcare in Australia. Hormonal changes associated with peri/menopause create a period where women may be more prone to developing oral health problems, which can significantly impact their quality of life. While healthcare providers are capable of addressing women's oral health needs across various life stages, limited evidence exists on the management of oral health by women in peri/menopause and the role of non-dental healthcare providers in promoting oral health. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with Australian women in peri/menopause using maximum variation and snowball sampling. A hybrid thematic analysis was used to construct themes and subthemes. Women who self-identified as being in peri/menopause with an age range of 43-59 years and residing across different Australian states participated in the study. Dry mouth was the most commonly reported oral health issue by participants, followed by tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, gum problems, and bad breath. Participants reported that these oral health problems impacted their mental health, lifestyle, and dietary choices. Barriers such as cost, lack of awareness of the impact of peri/menopause on oral health, systemic illness, carer responsibilities, and limited support from healthcare providers, including dentists, restricted participants in accessing oral healthcare. Women suggested that raising awareness, providing cost-effective dental services, and oral health promotion through their health care providers are needed to overcome the oral health challenges women face in peri/menopause. Women undergoing peri/menopause may experience greater susceptibility to oral health problems and encounter a range of challenges in managing their oral healthcare. These findings underscore the need for clinically informed, patient-centred strategies, including proactive screening, tailored preventive guidance, and improved access to care to support oral health during this transitional stage.

ObjectivesTo identify behavioural and household factors associated with poor oral hygiene among Japanese kindergarten children in a population with high health awareness, using the Debris Index-Simplified (DI-S) as a clinical proxy for early oral hygiene deterioration.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSeven kindergartens in Sapporo city, Japan.ParticipantsOf the 1229 kindergarten children invited, 871 provided parental consent (consent rate: 70.9%). Among them, 675 children aged 1–6 years who completed both the questionnaire and oral examination (completion rate: 54.9%). Most post-consent losses were due to logistical and staffing constraints. Children were stratified into ≤3 year and ≥4 year academic classes.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was oral hygiene status based on the DI-S scores (categorised as good (DI-S=0) or poor (DI-S>0). The secondary outcome was the presence of dental caries, defined as decayed, missing and filled primary teeth: dmft≥1. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate associations between poor oral hygiene and behavioural and household factors.ResultsAmong the 675 children, 168 children (24.9%) exhibited poor oral hygiene (DI-S>0) and 89 children (13.2%) had dental caries (dmft≥1). In multivariable analysis adjusted for demographic, dental and dietary variables, poor oral hygiene was significantly associated with being from a multiple-child household (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.42) and irregular juice consumption (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.38). Age-stratified analysis revealed that these associations persisted among those in the ≥4 year class, with additional significance for infrequent tooth brushing (<2 times/day; OR 1.81, 95%CI 1.00 to 3.26). Sensitivity analysis using dmft revealed that the significant associations differed: male sex, age and irregular snacking were significant, while household composition and juice consumption were not.ConclusionsIn a high health awareness Japanese preschool population, poor oral hygiene was independently associated with household composition and juice consumption, rather than traditional dental behaviours. These findings suggest the need to broaden preventive strategies beyond routine dental guidance to include family structure and dietary patterns, particularly in low-prevalence settings. Differential associations between DI-S and caries experience emphasise the utility of early clinical indices in oral health promotion.

Strengthening oral health promotion in remote riverine populations is essential for reducing persistent inequities in oral health. This study evaluated the outcomes of a community-based participatory intervention designed to enhance oral health knowledge, behaviors, and conditions among residents of a remote riverine community in the Brazilian Amazon. A community-based participatory intervention was implemented based on the five action areas of the Ottawa Charter. Data were collected at baseline (T0) and after 8 months (T1) through face-to-face interviews using the Health Literacy in Dentistry-14 (HeLD-14) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 instruments, for oral health literacy and oral health-related quality of life, complementary questionnaires on health behaviors and service use, and clinical oral examinations. Differences between T0 and T1 were analyzed using Wilcoxon paired, McNemar, and Cochran's Q tests. Following the intervention, participants demonstrated improvements in oral health literacy and oral health beliefs (p<0.001), oral health-related quality of life (p<0.001), and periodontal conditions, with significant reductions in gingival bleeding and dental calculus (p&le;0.001). Dental service utilization increased (p=0.004), although economic barriers persisted. No change was observed in the DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) index. The intervention positively influenced key oral health outcomes in this remote riverine population. These findings highlight the potential of participatory, community-driven strategies to strengthen oral health promotion in rural and remote settings.

BackgroundOral health education in childhood plays a pivotal role in preventing dental diseases; however, conventional teaching methods often fail to engage young learners. In addition, despite encouraging results, many existing gamified oral health applications lack theoretical foundations, usability testing, and clinical evaluation. This study therefore evaluated the effectiveness of Happy Teeth, a gamified digital application, in enhancing oral health knowledge, behaviors, and clinical outcomes among school-aged children, compared with traditional education alone.MethodsA single-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted among 8–9-year-old students from four elementary schools in Isfahan, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Both received one session of standard oral health education, while the intervention group additionally used the Happy Teeth game—developed in Unity—over a 3–4-week period. The game integrated interactive mini-games, quizzes, and a tower-defense strategy aligned with oral health behaviors. Outcomes assessed at baseline and three months post-intervention included oral health knowledge (13-item questionnaire), plaque index (Quigley–Hein), dietary behavior scores, and self-reported oral hygiene practices.ResultsA total of 108 children participated. Knowledge scores improved significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.008), particularly among boys (p = 0.01). Both groups exhibited reductions in plaque index, though the between-group difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). Dietary behavior improved in the intervention group (p = 0.01), but no significant difference emerged between groups. Brushing frequency remained unchanged. Children’s satisfaction with the game was high—87% enjoyed it—and 68% of parents said they would recommend it to others.ConclusionThe Happy Teeth gamified application effectively enhanced oral health knowledge and dietary awareness among children but demonstrated limited influence on clinical and behavioral outcomes such as plaque reduction and brushing frequency. Gamification appears to be a promising adjunct to traditional oral health education, warranting further research with longer follow-up periods and more advanced interactive features.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-025-07575-x.

Evaluation of a sensitive toothpaste for relief from dentin hypersensitivity and promotion of oral health: An in vitro study

Assessment of Ideal Tool for Oral Health Promotion among 8–10-year-old Children Belonging to Tribal and Rural Areas of Salem District

Background: Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Augmentin®), Metronidazole, Amoxil/Metro combination, and Azithromycin are commonly utilized as adjunctive treatment of periodontitis. Moringa oleifera L (Mo) leaves extracts have demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of facultative anaerobic bacteria including Porphyromonas. gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Shigella sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Beta-hemolytic streptococcus, Bacillus megaterium as well as dental biofilm development. Objectives: The present study was set out to determine the antibacterial efficacy of Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Augmentin®), Metronidazole and Ethanolic extract of Mo leaves against P. gingivalis clinical isolate. Materials and Methods: The minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC), and sensitivity of the clinical isolated P. gingivalis against Mo ethanolic leaves extracts, Augmentin, and Metronidazole were determined using two-fold serial dilution, agar well diffusion, and disk diffusion, respectively. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for phytochemical analysis of the Mo leaves extract using ethanol solvent. Results: P. gingivalis exhibited inhibition to Mo leaves extract, while it demonstrated resistance to Augmentin and Metronidazole. MIC and MBC of Mo leaves extract were found to be 0.78 mg/ml and 1.56 mg/ml against P. gingivalis, respectively. The extract had highest anti-biofilm effect at the minimum concentrations of 1.55 mg/ml and 0.78 mg/ml equivalent to 0.06% Chlorhexidine compared to its lowest conc at 0.34 mg/ml, and this activity was inversely proportional to the extract’s concentration. Conclusion: While Augmentin and Metronidazole showed no sensitivity against P. gingivalis, the promising antibacterial effect of Mo leaves extract against this bacterium may indicates its potential for use in oral health promotion, suggesting further in vivo studies to validate Mo extracts as alternative adjuncts in periodontitis therapy.

The objective of this research was to determine oral health-related quality of life and its relationship with the incidence of dental caries, oral hygiene, and gingival health in a military population in the city of Arequipa, Peru. The study was cross-sectional and included 234 Peruvian military personnel. Oral quality of life was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14Sp) questionnaire. Clinical condition was determined using the DMFT (cavities), OHI-S (simplified oral hygiene), and the Löe and Silness reduced gingival index (GI-r). The median OHIP-14Sp score was 19 (RI: 12-27), with physical pain being the most affected dimension (mean: 4.1±1.7). A significant association was found between the OHIP-14Sp and the OHI-S (p=0.011) and OHI-r (p&lt;0.001) indices. In the case of the DMFT index, no statistically significant association was found with the overall OHIP-14Sp score (p=0.152); however, a trend was observed in which higher DMFT values corresponded to higher OHIP-14Sp scores, suggesting a possible clinically unperceived impact in this population. In conclusion, there is a significant relationship between oral health-related quality of life and levels of oral hygiene and gingival inflammation. Although no statistically significant association was found between DMFT and perceived quality of life, the observed trend suggests that caries experience could influence oral well-being at more advanced stages. Implementing oral health prevention and promotion strategies that address both hygiene and early caries diagnosis in institutional settings is recommended.

Past Australian research has identified gaps in midwives' knowledge, confidence and skills to incorporate oral health promotion within routine antenatal care. The Midwifery Initiated Oral Health (MIOH) evidence-based online training program is designed to provide midwives with practical skills required to promote oral health. The long-term effectiveness of the MIOH program on midwives' oral health knowledge and confidence to incorporate oral health promotion into practice was assessed. A pre-post-test design was used with a convenience sample of midwives (pre vs. post and post versus long-term follow-up ≥12 month) participating in the program with questionnaires capturing self-reported oral health knowledge and confidence. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (McNemars test). Midwives (pre, n = 179; post, n = 173; long-term follow-up, n = 22) self-reported oral health knowledge significantly improved from pre to post and was sustained long-term. Knowledge gains were found in key areas such as the management of oral health in pregnancy, conditions associated with and prevalence of periodontal disease. Self-reported confidence in promoting oral health significantly improved among midwives post-training in most areas assessed, including answering questions about and conducting oral health assessments, assisting with referrals and determining public dental service eligibility. Confidence was largely sustained for all items at long-term follow-up. Findings provide evidence of the MIOH program's long-term impact on midwives' self-reported oral health knowledge and confidence to effectively promote oral health within their practice. The MIOH program is a useful evidence-based professional development resource to support the competencies of midwives to incorporate oral health promotion into their practice.

Objective To explore secondary school students' perceptions of a metaverse platform called Meta-OHE (metaverse for oral health education).Methods Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with purposively sampled 16-year-old secondary school students from semi-government schools in Malaysia. Participants engaged with the Meta-OHE platform on Mitoworld for one week before the FGDs sessions on https://mitoworld.io/world/w/2808/meta-ohe . The FGDs, conducted in both English and Malay, each lasted between 30-60 minutes and were guided by a semi-structured topic guide until data saturation was achieved. The data were analysed through framework analysis, using NVivo 14.0 to systematically code and develop themes.Results A total of 81 students participated in 16 FGDs. Emerging themes in their perceptions of the metaverse platform Meta-OHE included freedom and exploration, interactive features, access to oral health information, and immersive learning experiences. Participants favoured visually appealing environments, customisable avatars, diverse oral health education content, and the integration of augmented reality and virtual reality technologies. Desired platform features from the participants also included gamification, reward systems, up-to-date information, diverse environments, social features, short videos, educational simulations, and age-appropriate content.Conclusion The study revealed positive perceptions of Meta-OHE for oral health education, suggesting its potential as an innovative tool for engaging secondary school students in oral health promotion and education. However, frequent updates, maintenance and expansions to content, technical diversity and features were emphasised to maintain interest and relevance.

Nongovernmental Organizations in Oral Health Promotion: A Scoping Review and Thematic Analysis.

Periodontal care in overall diabetes management: oral health promotion in diabetes population health strategies

Inequities in early life on dental pain trajectory: A birth cohort study.

The Health Service Executive in Ireland has piloted dentist-led initiatives targeting children aged 4-5. These initiatives involved an intra-oral check by dentists in the school setting, and a subsequent dental clinic appointment if dental decay was identified. The aim of this project was to explore the best method of delivering school-based, intra-oral examinations, by piloting a programme to identify children with dental decay with allied health professionals. A quality improvement framework (Plan Do Study Act) was used for this oral health improvement project. The intervention included an oral health promotion session and an intra-oral check by a dentist or non-dental health professional. Those identified with cavitated dental decay were given an appointment with a dentist. In total, 122 children were targeted. There was an increased uptake of this programme when public health nurse (PHN)-led and this phase was lower cost as a PHN was already present in the school. PHNs were able to identify dental decay and provide referrals for further assessment in a high-risk population. PHNs could therefore play a role in the screening of children nationally for dental decay. This pathway may be helpful in identifying children or families not engaging with dental services.

Sinha A, Kumar S, Sargaiyan V, Kottapalli RH, Sharma D, Goyal A. Comparative effectiveness of modified manual and powered toothbrushing interventions in individuals with disabilities: a randomized controlled trial assessing gingival health. J Pharm Bioallied Sci 2024; https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1171_24 . This commentary draws on data from a randomized controlled trial by Sinha et al. (2024), which compared the clinical effectiveness of manual and powered toothbrushes among individuals with disabilities. Supplementary insights were integrated from behavioral, psychological, and health systems literature to contextualize the findings. The primary study was selected for its focus on a vulnerable population and its moderate GRADE rating, which indicates methodological robustness despite limited generalizability. Supporting studies were chosen for their relevance to patient-centered care frameworks and oral health behaviors. Clinical outcomes were extracted from Sinha et al. (2024), while behavioral and patient experience themes were synthesized from a range of models including Self-Determination Theory, the Health Belief Model, and Shared Decision-Making frameworks. Preference-related data were qualitatively integrated to highlight divergence from clinical parity. The referenced trial showed no significant difference in gingival health outcomes between manual and powered brushing. However, a notable preference emerged for powered toothbrushes among participants. This preference appears driven by perceived ease of use, sensory comfort, and enhanced autonomy. Literature indicates that honoring such preferences enhances adherence, satisfaction, and long-term oral health outcomes, especially in individuals with disabilities. Clinical equivalence between interventions does not imply experiential equivalence. For individuals with disabilities, patient preferences are not secondary, they are central to sustainable, person-centered care. Future oral health promotion strategies should integrate preference-sensitive models to support autonomy, behavioral engagement, and equity in healthcare delivery.

Oral health is closely related to systemic health, including heart disease, where dental caries measured by the DMF-T index (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) can be one indicator of oral health status. This study aims to analyze the DMF-T index among patients visiting the Cardiology Clinic in Banjarbaru City. The research method used a quantitative descriptive approach with cluster random sampling. Data were collected through clinical oral examinations with DMF-T index recording according to WHO standards, then analyzed descriptively to obtain the average values of D, M, and F. The results showed that the average DMF-T score of patients was quite high at 6.7, with missing teeth being the most prevalent compared to decayed teeth and filled teeth. The DMF-T index also showed a higher tendency in elderly patients visiting the Cardiology Clinic. This finding indicates a relationship between the systemic condition of heart patients and their oral health status. In conclusion, heart disease patients in Banjarbaru City have a high DMF-T index, requiring special attention in oral health promotion and prevention efforts.