Impact of Maternal Health Education on Pediatric Oral Health in Banda Aceh: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

In Banda Aceh City, Indonesia, particularly in Punge Jurong Gampong, the effectiveness of child oral health service interventions is notably impacted by the level of maternal knowledge and involvement. This quasiexperimental study was designed to scrutinize the impact of maternal behaviors on the maintenance of children's dental and oral health, employing a primary verbal healthcare strategy. Utilizing a pre-test and post-test approach, the research encompassed 45 mothers in the intervention group and an equal number in the control group. The intervention primarily consisted of educating mothers about the critical importance of dental and oral health, integrating promotional and preventive measures. The findings of this study reveal that maternal influence is a pivotal factor in shaping the oral health habits of children, with such influence being modulated by variables including cultural perceptions, socioeconomic status, educational background, and information accessibility. The range of maternal activities observed varied significantly, encompassing diligent teeth brushing practices and challenges in recognizing the significance of primary teeth. The study underlines a substantial need for customized, culturally sensitive interventions tailored to the unique context of Punge Jurong Gampong. It was observed that while the average knowledge level and Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP)-M scores of mothers in both the intervention and control groups did not show a significant difference, notable variances in attitudes and behaviors related to oral health were statistically significant (p>0.05). These results highlight the criticality of context-specific, culturally informed educational programs in improving pediatric oral health outcomes. The study emphasizes the role of collaborative efforts involving healthcare professionals, community leaders, and educational institutions in creating an enabling environment for the effective implementation of primary oral healthcare strategies. Thus, this research contributes to the understanding of the multifaceted nature of maternal influence on child oral health and underscores the necessity of personalized and culturally adaptive educational interventions.