Effect of educational status on oral health education program amongst Anganwadi workers in improving oral health of preschool children of Muradnagar block, Ghaziabad-A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim: To study effect of educational status of Anganwadi Workers on oral health education program and its impact on improving oral health of preschool children in Muradnagar block, Ghaziabad. Materials and Methods: Study was done amongst 30 Anganwadi Centres of Muradnagar selected by simple random sampling. Sample size was calculated to be 503. Anganwadi Workers were divided into four groups depending on their educational status. Pre tested questionnaire was used to assess baseline knowledge of Anganwadi workers on oral health. Oral health education was imparted to them. Clinical examination of preschool children attending Anganwadi centres was done at baseline and after oral health education program. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 18. Results: Mean values of knowledge scores were found to be higher in Anganwadi workers (36.7) with high educational status leading to higher improvement (76%) in oral health status of preschool children. Conclusion:Educational Status of Anganwadi Workers has a significant impact on their oral health knowledge and efficiency of improving oral health status of preschool children.

Validation of an Arabic version of the short form of the health literacy in dentistry scale: a cross-sectional study

“…Their influence extends to shaping the behaviours of their family members, especially the children [21], ultimately impacting their oral health-related behaviours. Further, a strong relationship has been found between maternal OHL, oral healthrelated knowledge, attitude and practices, and children's oral health status [22][23][24]. It is thus imperative to evaluate the OHL of women, as this can facilitate the implementation of effective intervention programmes that will not only enhance women's oral health, but also have a positive impact on their children's oral health.…”

The association between oral health literacy and oral health-related behaviours among female adolescents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

“…Their role in the family is essential, and their influence extends to shaping the behaviours of their family members, particularly the children ( Alghamdi et al, 2022 ), thereby impacting children’s oral health-related behaviours. In this regards, studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between maternal OHL and the oral health status of their children ( Dieng et al, 2020 , Sowmya et al, 2021 , Tyagi et al, 2017 ). Intervention programmes in this target group could thus not only improve women’s oral health, but also have a significant positive impact on a children’s oral health.…”