Effectiveness of an integrated model of oral health-promoting schools in improving children's knowledge and the KAP of their parents, Iran

Abstract

Introduction The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of an Oral Health Promoting School (OHPS) model on children's oral health in Iran. Methods This interventional quasi-experimental study was conducted in the academic year 2019–20 among 354 primary school students and their parents. A questionnaire including 17 questions was distributed among children before and 5 months after the program (The ranges of possible scores = 0–17). Training workshops for the parents based on the theoretical domains framework were designed. Using educational sessions, pamphlets, tooth brushing dairies, assignments to do at home, educational videos and messages as reminders in social networks, parents were educated about dental caries, its risk factors and prevention principles. Best recommended oral health behaviors including tooth brushing and the use of fluoridated tooth paste were also educated. A questionnaire consisting of 18 knowledge (The ranges of possible scores = 0–18), 13 attitude and 10 practice questions were distributed among parents before and after the workshops. The data were fed into SPSS and analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistics such as T-test, ANOVA and Correlation Coefficients (α = 0.05). Results The mean pre-test knowledge (7.8 ± 1.7) was increased significantly in three schools after program, p < 0.001. In the post-test, girls gained significantly higher scores (9.61 ± 1.98 vs. 9.06 ± 1.4, p = 0.025). Among 147 parents, the mean knowledge was raised from 12.3 ± 3.1 (5–18) to 15 ± 3.03 (6–18), p < 0.001. Knowledge score of the parents attending both sessions was higher. Practice of the parents regarding the use of fluoridated tooth-paste was significantly improved (p < 0.001). Also, their attitude toward the ability of children to take care of their teeth was improved (p = 0.029). Based on the self-report of parents, 71.4% (n = 47) of mothers and 45.6% (n = 67) of their children used to brush once or two times daily and there was a correlation between their behaviors (p < 0.001, Spearman Correlation Coefficient = 0.4). Conclusion It seems that the education provided in OHPS had positive effects on increasing students' awareness and to some extent, the knowledge, attitude and practice of the parents.

Social media as a tool for oral health promotion: A systematic review

“…Regarding intervention integrity, all the studies provided details on the theoretical basis, intervention frequency, compliance, and methods of follow-up contacts for participants. Two studies did not assess the consistency of interventions [ 19 , 22 ], and the rest did not provide a clear explanation on this matter. Two studies mentioned the possibility of contamination [ 18 , 21 ].…”

“…The study reported that the education positively influenced students’ awareness, knowledge, and attitudes. However, the impact of social media as an individual factor was not separately assessed in this study [ 22 ].…”

“…Six studies assessed the objective oral health using gingival index [ 17 , 19 ], modified gingival index [ 15 ], decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) [ 21 ], bleeding index [ 15 ], plaque index [ 15 – 17 ], number of decayed teeth [ 17 , 18 , 21 ], community periodontal index [ 16 ], and white spots [ 17 ]. Behavioral changes, including dental cleaning behavior [ 16 , 19 , 21 , 22 ], perceived self-efficacy, perceived benefits/barriers, motivational beliefs [ 19 ], and psychosocial variables [ 16 ], were assessed in different studies. Dental anxiety [ 14 ], knowledge [ 14 , 20 , 22 ] and attitude about oral health [ 22 ] were other measured outcomes.…”

“…Behavioral changes, including dental cleaning behavior [ 16 , 19 , 21 , 22 ], perceived self-efficacy, perceived benefits/barriers, motivational beliefs [ 19 ], and psychosocial variables [ 16 ], were assessed in different studies. Dental anxiety [ 14 ], knowledge [ 14 , 20 , 22 ] and attitude about oral health [ 22 ] were other measured outcomes.…”

Effectiveness of theory-based educational interventions of promoting oral health among elementary school students

“…Over the past years, there has been an ascending increase in the number of tooth decays [ 4 , 5 ] and the prevalence of periodontal diseases [ 6 , 7 ] in Iranian children. On average, Iranian school-aged children of 6–7 years of age and 12-year-olds experienced 4.3 and 1.6 decayed teeth in 2004, respectively.…”