Effect of Traditional and Virtual Oral Hygiene Instruction to School Health Instructors on Plaque Index of Elementary Schoolchildren

Abstract

AIM: This study compared the effect of traditional and virtual oral hygiene instruction to school health instructors on plaque index (PI) of elementary schoolchildren. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this descriptive, analytical study, 66 elementary schools in Kermanshah city were selected by cluster sampling. The school health instructors first participated in a pretest and filled out a questionnaire. The O’Leary’s index of 339 elementary schoolchildren was measured at baseline. Next, the school health instructors received oral hygiene instructions in two groups (n = 33) of virtual instruction through an online course and traditional classroom setting. After 3 weeks, a post-test was held and school health instructors filled out the same questionnaire for the 2nd time. After 3 months, the PI of students was measured again. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, and ANOVA. RESULTS: Both instruction methods significantly enhanced the oral hygiene knowledge of instructors (p < 0.001) but virtual instruction was significantly more effective (p = 0.02). No significant association was noted between age, work experience of instructors, or their level of education with their knowledge level in the virtual group (p > 0.05). An inverse correlation was noted between age and work experience of instructors with their knowledge level in the traditional instruction group (p < 0.05). Both instruction methods caused significant improvement of PI of students (p < 0.001) but virtual instruction was more effective (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Correct oral hygiene instruction to school health instructors (preferably by virtual instruction) can reduce PI elementary schoolchildren.

Impact of virtual supervised tooth brushing on caries experience and quality of life among primary school children: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Both kinds of education were found to significantly improve students’ PI scores, but virtual instruction was found to be more successful. This may raise the question of whether virtual teeth brushing under supervision has a comparable impact [ 22 ]. Consequently, this study aims to assess the impact of virtual supervised tooth brushing on caries experience and quality of life among primary school children in Riyadh, KSA.…”

Impact of Virtual Supervised Tooth Brushing on Caries Experience and Quality of Life among Primary School Children: Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial

“…Both kinds of education were found to signi cantly improve students' PI scores, but virtual instruction was found to be more successful. This may raise the question of whether virtual teeth brushing under supervision has a comparable impact (22).…”