EFFECTIVENESS OF ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION (OHE) IN SCHOOL CHILDREN OF AGE 7-12 FOR IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH STATUS

Dr. Gopika P. Nair*, Dr. Halaswamy Vishwanath Kambalimath, Dr. Satish Maran, Dr. Rini Gangwal, Dr. Niharika Vyas and Dr. Kanchan Satish Adchitre

ABSTRACT

Background: Dental decay remains the most common chronic disease among children. The good news about tooth decay is that, it is preventable. The importance of healthy mouth should be known to children at their early ages. School based oral health education (OHE) programs with recognized technology and traditional lecturing could be strategic in promotion of oral health behaviour in developed and developing countries. Aim: The aim of the study is to Evaluate the effectiveness of Oral Health Education (OHE) in school children of age 7-12 for improving Oral health status. Methodology: A Cross sectional study was conducted on 372 children, aged between 7-12 years. An anonymized questionnaire test was conducted on their knowledge regarding oral health and practices. An interactive lecture regarding the oral health was taken and again the questionnaire form was filled. Hence, before and after comparison was made regarding the oral health knowledge of children. Result: This study showed that, majority of the children was able to answer correctly to the questionnaire, which was given to them, which is related to oral health. Conclusion: Developing an oral health model in school based setting or directly in school curriculum with an active amalgamation of the newer interventions along with oral health counseling may be considered as an effective tool.

Keywords: Oral Health Education, School Children, Questionnaire, Knowledge.