School-based Oral Health Education Research Articles

Effectiveness of School-Based Oral Health Education for Children and Adolescents in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The global burden of oral diseases is high, but access to oral health care is still problematic, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The prevention of oral diseases in the child and adolescent population is the key as it can be prevented and potentially reversed at its early stages. This study aimed to provide evidence on the effectiveness of school-based oral health education in low- and middle-income countries through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eligible studies had outcomes, such as oral health knowledge, behavior, oral hygiene, gingival health, and caries index, and those published from 1995 to 2019 in English. After screening and reviewing the retrieved articles, 20 studies were included in the systematic review and six eligible studies were selected for meta-analysis. The computed effect size of school-based oral health education in low- and middle-income countries showed improved knowledge, behavior, oral hygiene, and gingival health from the selected studies. However, most of the interventions took place for less than one year, and long-term evidence is still lacking. As repetition and reinforcement are critical in maintaining long-term effects, both country context and sustainability should be considered in school-based oral health education.

The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Pediatric Oral Health: A Review.

This narrative review examines the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on pediatric oral health, emphasizing disparities in dental caries prevalence and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Utilizing an extensive literature search through PubMed, Google Scholar, and the chat.consensus.app plugin, we synthesized findings from studies published up to December 2023. The review highlights a consistent association between lower SES and adverse pediatric oral health outcomes, influenced by parental education, household income, food security, and neighborhood conditions. It also underscores the importance of the life-course perspective, showing how early-life socioeconomic disadvantages can have long-lasting effects on oral health. Furthermore, the review points to the critical role of school-based oral health education programs and the complex interplay between mental health, SES, and pediatric oral health. By examining the impact of socioeconomic factors across different childhood stages and the effectiveness of educational interventions, this review calls for targeted interventions and policy initiatives aimed at reducing socioeconomic inequalities in pediatric oral health. The findings advocate for a multifaceted approach to improve oral health outcomes for children across socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring equitable access to oral health care and promoting overall well-being.

Impact of School-based Oral Health Education on Knowledge, Practice of School Children

Objective: To evaluate the effect of verbal and audiovisual methods of dental health education on knowledge, practice of old school-going children.
 Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Islamia collegiate Middle School for Boys, Peshawar Pakistan, from Dec 2019 to Feb 2020.
 Methodology: The study population consists of 272 middle school children aged 10-13 years. After collecting baseline data which consists of a questionnaire regarding knowledge and attitude about oral hygiene followed by recording plaque score,and gingival score, students were randomly allocated into three groups. Group-1 participants received verbal dental health education through charts and pamphlets about oral health, hygiene, and tooth brushing demonstrations. Group-2 received verbal and audio-video sessions about oral hygiene. Group-3(Control-Group) received no intervention. After the intervention,knowledge attitude and plaque score gingival score was assessed.
 Results: A statistically significant positive change in dental knowledge and practice score was found in the AudiovisualGroup as compared to the Verbal-Group. Post-intervention mean plaque score of the participants was lowered more in the Audiovisual-Group than in the Verbal-Group. In addition, the post-intervention mean gingival score of the participants was lowered more in the audiovisual group than in the verbal group.
 Conclusion: Short-term oral health education programs, including A-V aids, may be useful in improving oral hygiene and gingival health.

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 <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 Effect of Structured Education Training Program on Oral Health Awareness Among School-Going Children of Central India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundIn order to curb the ever-increasing load of diseases related to the oral cavity, there is a call for generating organized school-based oral health education and training programs. It is proposed that there will be an emphasis on the primary care of oral health of school-going children proven, which is often neglected. This will be beneficial for the early detection, intervention and thus prevention of further debilitating conditions of the pathologies pertaining to the oral cavity with the assistance of the structured program suggested in this article.AimThe aim of the study was the evaluation of oral health programs for oral health awareness and knowledge among school-going children in the Central India region.Settings and designThis is a cross-sectional study with measurements before and after the implementation of the oral care program. Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study, approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, has been done according to the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology) checklist. A study based on certain questions was carried out amongst the school-going children of Central India, especially the Vidarbha region. A total of 250 school-going children were enrolled in the study. A survey based on a questionnaire was carried out among the study participants in the age group of 12-16 years of age, which consisted of questions pertaining to knowledge of oral health and hygiene maintenance. The program consisted of presentation slides, role-plays, and demonstrations for inculcating the knowledge.ResultA total of 200 study participants responded to the questionnaire. Overall, the baseline mean score of knowledge with scale was 2.80 ± 1.73 SD, which after the intervention was observed to be 10.70 ± 0.54 SD, which showed an increase. There was an aptly 60.4% increase in test scores related to oral health after the specific oral health inculcation program based on questionnaire execution which was statistically significant (p<0.001).ConclusionA properly constructed school children-based oral health education and training program induces better results in the oral health-related comprehension of students.

Effectiveness of Oral Health Educational Methods among School Children Aged 5-16 Years in Improving their Oral Health Status: A Meta-analysis.

BackgroundOral health is an essential component of health throughout life. Two major oral diseases, dental caries and gingival conditions are prevalent in young population. School-based oral health education (OHE) programs with recognized technology and traditional lecturing could be strategic in promotion of oral health behavior in developed and developing countries.AimThe aim of the study is to summarize existing evidence in order to evaluate the effectiveness of OHE programs in school children aged 5–16 years in improving their oral health status.MethodologyClinical trials with school children between 5 and 16 years were included. Eligible studies were those which had outcomes as caries, plaque and gingival indices, and oral hygiene status. Articles published from 2010 to 2019 in English language from PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journal (DOAJ), and Google Scholar were searched. Forty-one articles were identified and relevance was determined by examining title and full article. Nine articles were included for qualitative synthesis and seven were eligible for meta-analysis. The risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane Handbook. A meta-analysis was done using Review Manager 5.3 software.ResultsAfter the meta-analysis results for cumulative mean difference was found as 0.05 (–0.17, 0.27), –0.37 (–0.74, 0.00), –0.20 (–0.33, –0.07), and –0.17 (–0.73, 0.38) for plaque status, Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S), debris status, and dental caries, respectively showing a significant difference favoring the experimental group than traditional group.ConclusionInterventions given by various aids like lectures, albums, models, flipcharts, leaflets, E-programs, games, drawings, and presentations proved effective in improving oral hygiene status and dental caries, but no reduction in plaque levels and gingival inflammation as compared to oral health talk/counseling by dentists.How to cite this articleGurav KM, Shetty V, Vinay V, et al. Effectiveness of Oral Health Educational Methods among School Children Aged 5–16 Years in Improving their Oral Health Status: A Meta-analysis. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):338-349.

Impact of School-Based Oral Health Education on Vietnamese Adolescents: A 6-Month Study.

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.

Oral Hygiene Awareness and Practices among a Sample of Primary School Children in Rural Bangladesh.

Inadequate oral health knowledge and awareness is more likely to cause oral diseases among all age groups, including children. Reports about the oral health awareness and oral hygiene practices of children in Bangladesh are insufficient. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the oral health awareness and practices of junior school children in Mathbaria upazila of Pirojpur District, Bangladesh. The study covered 150 children aged 5 to 12 years of age from three primary schools. The study reveals that the students have limited awareness about oral health and poor knowledge of oral hygiene habits. Oral health awareness and hygiene practices amongst the school going children was found to be very poor and create a much-needed niche for implementing school-based oral health awareness and education projects/programs.

Oral health – Knowledge, attitude, and practices of primary school teachers in Shirur, Udupi District India

Background: Oral health is an integral part of the general health of an individual. Children spend a considerable period in schools and teachers are in an enviable position to influence and guide children. School-based oral health education (OHE) is valuable as children are guided when young during the formation of their oral hygiene habits. Aim: This study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary school teachers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among primary school teachers in Shirur village of Udupi district. A validated questionnaire was used, and a total of 103 teachers were assessed for their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding oral hygiene. Statistical Analysis: Data description and statistical analysis were obtained using IBM SPSS Version 21-computer software (IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS 21.0, Inc., Chicago, USA) in association with Microsoft Excel. Descriptive statistics were obtained, and the mean values and frequency distributions were calculated. Results: All teachers (100%) were unanimous in their agreement that oral health was an integral part of general health and 95.3% (n = 102) agreed on the need for periodic dental check up. A majority (55.8%) of the teachers brushed twice daily and 32.7% of them visited their dentist once every 6 months. All teachers were interested in delivering OHE in schools. Conclusions: School teachers can be effectively used for OHE in schools. There is a need for a comprehensive approach to include OHE in schools through activities such as dental examinations and demonstration of brushing techniques.

Comparison of Two School-Based Oral Health Education Programs in 9-Year-Old Children.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of two school-based oral health education (OHE) programs on the oral health knowledge and behavior and oral hygiene of 9-year-old children in Turkey. The study included 1,053 school children aged 9 years in Aydin, Turkey. This study was a prospective, two-arm, and parallel-group clinical trial between two different OHE programs. The dentist group received one lecture on OHE given by dentists in the classroom. The teacher group had a similar lecture given by school teachers, including supporting materials which were available throughout the academic year. Oral health knowledge and behavior were evaluated with a questionnaire at baseline, and then at 1 and 6 months. In total, 110 students were randomly selected to undergo a plaque accumulation assessment according to the Silness-Löe Index at baseline and 1 month later to determine the effects of the education programs on oral hygiene. At baseline, tooth-brushing frequency was similar in the study groups. Compared with baseline, the frequency of brushing increased significantly after 1 and 6 months in both groups ( p < .001). Teacher education was more effective for teaching correct brushing techniques ( p < .001). A significant decrease in plaque accumulation has been evaluated in both study groups at the 1-month examination after the education session ( p < .05). Both OHE programs were found to generate improvements in knowledge and behavior of children on oral health and plaque control in the short term.

School-based oral health education increases caries inequalities.

To evaluate the effect of one and half years of an oral health promotion program in primary schools. A cluster-randomized controlled trial. 740 students aged 9-12 years (48% female) recruited from the fifth grade of 18 different primary schools in West Pomerania, Germany. General and oral health education was provided to the teachers in the intervention schools, which they conveyed to their students. No additional measures were conducted in the control schools. Medical and dental school examinations, as well as questionnaires for the students and their parents were conducted at baseline and follow-up. Data were analysed using Poisson regression models. A significant incident rate ratio between caries increment was found, with a 35% higher risk in the control group. However, parents' socioeconomic characteristics modified the effect of the program on their children, as high socio-economic status in the intervention group was associated with 94% reduction in the incidence risk ratio (p ⟨ 0.001). The program was effective in improving dental health among students with higher socio-economic status. No preventive effect could be found in low socio-economic status groups.

E-learning or educational leaflet: does it make a difference in oral health promotion? A clustered randomized trial

BackgroundThe early recognition of technology together with great ability to use computers and smart systems have promoted researchers to investigate the possibilities of utilizing technology for improving health care in children. The aim of this study was to compare between the traditional educational leaflets and E-applications in improving oral health knowledge, oral hygiene and gingival health in schoolchildren of Damascus city, Syria.MethodsA clustered randomized controlled trial at two public primary schools was performed. About 220 schoolchildren aged 10–11 years were included in this study and grouped into two clusters. Children in Leaflet cluster received oral health education through leaflets, while children in E-learning cluster received oral health education through an E-learning program. A questionnaire was designed to register information related to oral health knowledge and to record Plaque and Gingival indices. Questionnaire administration and clinical assessment were undertaken at baseline, 6 and at 12 weeks of oral health education. Data was analysed using one way repeated measures ANOVA, post hoc Bonferroni test and independent samples t-test.ResultsLeaflet cluster (107 participants) had statistically significant better oral health knowledge than E-learning cluster (104 participants) at 6 weeks (P < 0.05) and at 12 weeks (P < 0.05) (Leaflet cluster:100 participants, E-learning cluster:100 participants). The mean knowledge gain compared to baseline was higher in Leaflet cluster than in E-learning cluster. A significant reduction in the PI means at 6 weeks and 12 weeks was observed in both clusters (P < 0.05) when compared to baseline. Children in Leaflet cluster had significantly less plaque than those in E-learning cluster at 6 weeks (P < 0.05) and at 12 weeks (P < 0.05). Similarly, a significant reduction in the GI means at 6 weeks and 12 weeks was observed in both clusters when compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Children in Leaflet cluster had statistically significant better gingival health than E-learning cluster at 6 weeks (P < 0.05) and 12 weeks (P < 0.05).ConclusionsTraditional educational leaflets are an effective tool in the improvement of both oral health knowledge as well as clinical indices of oral hygiene and care among Syrian children. Leaflets can be used in school-based oral health education for a positive outcome.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000395235), Date registered: 16/03/2018, retrospectively registered.

Relationship between oral health behavior, oral health status, and school-based oral health education among Korean adolescents

Relationship between oral health behavior, oral health status, and school-based oral health education among Korean adolescents

Effect of King Salman Center for Children's Health-sponsored school-based oral health education programs on oral health knowledge of government school students in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of school-based oral health educational (OHE) projects on oral health knowledge of government primary and intermediate students sponsored by King Salman Center for Children's Health (KSCCH) in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: OHE data of 2013–2014 semesters and 2014–2015 first semesters of government (n = 813) primary and intermediate school students were extracted from the KSCCH projects undertaken by Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Student's oral health knowledge was assessed before and after OHE by administering pre/post-questionnaire. Total and topic-specific knowledge scores were reported and compared between gender, nationality, and educational level using nonparametric Mann–Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test. Results: After the educational session, high and medium knowledge score categories showed an increase of 20.3% and 5.2%, respectively. On the contrary, low knowledge score category showed a decrease of 25.5% participants. This observed change was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.001). Comparison of correct responses between pretest and posttest showed statistically significant (P Conclusions: Educational projects sponsored by KSCCH demonstrated a definite positive impact on oral health knowledge of government primary and intermediate school students in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. For prolonged retention of oral health knowledge, repetition and reinforcement of OHE are necessary.

School-based health education programmes, health-learning capacity and child oral health–related quality of life

Objective: To use a model of health learning to examine the role of health-learning capacity and the effect of a school-based oral health education intervention (Winning Smiles) on the health outcome, child oral health–related quality of life (COHRQoL). Setting: Primary schools, high social deprivation, Ireland/Northern Ireland. Design: Cluster randomised controlled trial. Method: A total of 383, 7- to 8-year-old children were invited to participate and randomly allocated into intervention and control conditions. Baseline and 12-month follow-up assessments of COHRQoL, self-esteem, toothbrushing–fluoride toothpaste knowledge and unstimulated saliva samples were made. An 18-hour post-brushing, saliva fluoride concentration was used to assess toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste (behaviour). The data were entered onto SPSSv22. Structural equation modelling was applied using AMOSv22 to test for the role of health-learning capacity (baseline self-esteem and COHRQoL) and simultaneous effects of Winning Smiles upon knowledge, behaviour and COHRQoL (at follow-up). Results: A total of 238 children participated at baseline and follow-up. A partial latent hybrid model fitted the data reasonably well (χ2 = 65.6, df = 50, p = .07) as shown in addition by a Comparative Fit Index of .97 and a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) value of .042 (90% confidence interval [CI]: .00, .06). The intervention had a significant effect on toothbrushing–fluoride toothpaste knowledge ( p &lt; .03) and an effect on COHRQoL at the 6% level ( p &lt; .06). Knowledge was strongly associated with saliva fluoride concentration ( p &lt; .002). Conclusion: The model of health-learning capacity assisted in explaining the effect of a school-based intervention upon knowledge, toothbrushing behaviour and tentatively on COHRQoL.

Effect of a school-based oral health education in preventing untreated dental caries and increasing knowledge, attitude, and practices among adolescents in Bangladesh.

BackgroundThere is a dearth of published literature that demonstrates the impact and effectiveness of school-based oral health education (OHE) program in Bangladesh and it is one of the most neglected activities in the field of public health. Keeping this in mind, the objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness of OHE program in: 1) increasing oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices and 2) decreasing the prevalence of untreated dental caries among 6–8 grade school students in Bangladesh.MethodsThis intervention study was conducted in Araihazar Thana, Narayanganj district, Bangladesh during April 2012 to March 2013. The total participants were 944 students from three local schools. At baseline, students were assessed for oral health knowledge, attitude and practices using a self-administered structured questionnaire and untreated dental caries was assessed using clinical examination. Follow up study was done after 6 months from baseline. McNemar’s chi-square analysis was used to evaluate the impact of OHE program on four recurrent themes of oral health between the baseline and follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine the impact of the intervention group on our outcome variables.ResultsSignificant improvement was observed regarding school aged adolescents’ self-reported higher knowledge, attitude and practices scores (p < 0.001) at follow-up compared with baseline. The prevalence of untreated dental caries of the study population after the OHE program was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced to 42.5 %. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the OHE intervention remained a significant predictor in reducing the risk of untreated dental caries (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.51; 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 0.37, 0.81). In the follow-up period participants were 2.21 times (95 % CI = 1.87, 3.45) more likely to have higher level of knowledge regarding oral health compared to baseline. Compared with baseline participants in the follow-up were 1.89 times (95 % CI = 1.44–2.87) more likely to have higher attitude towards oral health. In addition, OHE intervention was found to be significantly associated with higher level of practices toward oral health (AOR = 1.64; 95 % CI = 1.12, 3.38).ConclusionsThis study indicated that OHE intervention was effective in increasing i) knowledge, ii) attitude, and iii) practices towards oral health; it also significantly reduced the prevalence of untreated dental caries among school aged adolescents from grade 6–8 in a deprived rural area of Bangladesh.

Oral Health Education Program on Dental Caries Incidence for School Children

This 3-year retrospective controlled clinical trial assessed the effect of a school-based oral health education program on caries incidence in children. A total of 240 students, aged 5 to 7 years, from two public schools in Monte Sião, Brazil, were included in this study. A school-based oral health education program was developed in one of the schools (experimental group), including 120 students, while the 120 students from the other school did not participate in the program (control group). All children were initially examined for dental caries (dmf-t), and after 3 years, 98 children from the experimental group and 96 from the control group were again examined and answered a questionnaire on oral health issues. The between-groups difference in caries incidence on permanent teeth was calculated using Poisson regression analyses. Logistic regression was used to observe the association between caries incidence and other variables. More students from the experimental group stated knowing what was dental caries and declared that they use dental floss daily, but no significant differences in caries incidence was observed between the experimental and control groups. The school-based oral health education program is not adequately efficient to decrease caries incidence after three years, but some issues about oral health knowledge could be slightly improved.

Effect of a school-based oral health education programme on use of recommended oral self-care for reducing the risk of caries by children in Nigeria.

Caries is a major oral health problem children with efforts focused on promoting use of caries prevention methods. The aim of the study is to assess the effect of a school-based oral health education programme on use of oral self-care measures for reducing caries. A structured school-based oral health education programme was implemented in six schools in Ile-Ife, Nigeria for 4 years. At the end of the project, information was sought from school children in their last year and final 2 years of studies on the use of fluoridated toothpaste, consumption of sugar-containing snacks more than once a day, frequency of tooth brushing and flossing, and time of the last dental check-up. Predictors of the use of preventive oral health practices for caries were determined. School children who received the intervention were more likely to report frequent use of fluoride-containing toothpastes (P < 0.001), more likely to brush twice a day (P = 0.03), less likely to consuming sugar-containing snacks less than once a day (P = 0.03) and less likely to use dental floss once a day (P < 0.001) when compared to the control group. This long term school based educational programme was able to increase school children's use of fluoride-containing toothpaste and twice daily tooth brushing, which are critical tools for reducing the risk of caries.

School-based oral health-education program using experiential learning or traditional lecturing in adolescents: a clinical trial

The aim of this project was to compare the effectiveness of experiential learning (EL) and traditional lecturing (TL) school-based oral health education on the oral health knowledge, attitude, habits, oral hygiene, gingival health and caries incidence of 13-year-old Greek children. Eighty-seven children for the EL group and 80 for the TL group were selected from two areas of Greece. Information on oral health knowledge, attitude and behaviours were obtained using a questionnaire. Dental plaque was recorded using a modified hygiene index, gingivitis was assessed using the simplified gingival index and dental caries was measured by recording the number of Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth (DMFT) using the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) criteria. All children were examined by two calibrated dentists, using a World Health Organisation (WHO) periodontal probe and artificial light. Questionnaires were delivered and clinical examinations were performed at baseline and at 6 and 18months post-intervention. The EL oral health educational programme was implemented by teachers using the programme's manual. Oral health knowledge had improved significantly (P<0.001) in both groups at 6 and 18months post-intervention. Oral health behaviour (P<0.001) and attitude (P<0.05) had improved significantly at 6months, and oral hygiene and gingival health had improved significantly at both 6 (P<0.001) and 18 (P<0.05) months for the EL group. Lower caries incidence was recorded for the EL group, 18months post-intervention (P<0.05). School-based oral health EL for adolescents was found to be more effective than TL in improving oral health attitude and behaviour at 6months, in improving oral hygiene and gingival health at both 6 and 18months and in reducing caries incidence 18months post-intervention.

Impact of school-based oral health education program on oral health of 12 and 15 years old school children

Background:Health education for the school age child is a specialized field within the broad discipline of education. Oral health education program are educational aspects of any curative, preventive and promotional health activity.Aim:The study has been undertaken to evaluate the impact of oral health education on the status of plaque, gingival health and dental caries among 12 and 15 years old children attending government school in Shimla city.Materials and Methods:Two hundred and seventy six school children participated in the study. The study was conducted over a period of 4 months from May 2010 to August 2010 in Government Senior Secondary School, Sanjauli. Plaque, gingival and caries status was assessed by using Silness and Loe plaque index, Loe and Silness gingival index and WHO modified DMFT index, respectively. Data was analyzed using the software SPSS version 15. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank sum test were used appropriately for statistical comparisons. P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Overall mean plaque score and gingival score decreased significantly after oral health education irrespective of gender. However, decrease in plaque score among 15 years old female children and gingival scores among 12 and 15 years old female subjects was not significant. Difference in mean caries status was statistically insignificant among all the subjects.Conclusion:Short term oral health education program may be useful in improving oral hygiene and gingival health. Coordinating efforts should be enhanced between school personnel, parents and health professionals to ensure long-term benefits of such program.