Promoting Oral Health in 6-12 Year-Old Students: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The group of 6-12 year-old students are the main target of oral health programs due to the high prevalence of dental caries and the formation of permanent teeth during this age and the lifestyle-shaping nature of the period. Schools provide the easiest and most effective means of accessing this group. The present study was conducted to examine the impact of school-based interventions on improved oral health in 6-12 year-old students. Materials and Methods: The present systematic review searched for its English and Persian keywords in databases such as the Scopus, Proquest, Science Direct, Pubmed, Springer, Biomed Central, Google Scholar, IranMedex and SID and examined studies published between January 2004 and September 2014 about educational interventions aiming to prevent oral diseases and promote associated health behaviors in students. Results: The 17 studies selected for examination were divided into two categories: first, assessing an education based on self-care behaviors and preventive services; second, assessing an education based on self-care behaviors only. Those interventions that were consistent in nature, involved the parents and the school personnel, used behavior change models, used a combination of several training methods, used practical experiences and provided preventive services were more effective in promoting knowledge and health behaviors and reducing dental caries and plaque in this group of children. Conclusion: Providing consistent community-based education, using a combination of several organized educational programs, following up on the children's progress, using behavior change theories and models and providing prevention services are the most effective measures for achieving the desired goals.

The Oral Health Status and Attitudes of Saudi Adolescent Male Students in Albaha Province: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…These findings are like those of previous research carried out on Saudi children [27]. This may suggest the need for the implementation of a combination of several oral health-related educational and practice programmes at schools, in addition to a follow-up of the progress of and effort made by children to improve their oral health status [28,29].…”

Predictors of oral health promotion behaviors among elementary school children: Examination of an extended social cognitive theory

“…It would be beneficial to identify factors that can influence and promote oral hygiene behaviors. There are a few Iranian studies on factors affecting oral health promotion behaviors among elementary school children using the behavior change model 7 …”

DMFT in Iranian 12-year-old students residing in the desert region and its association with their individual and family factors- 2016

“…This was also less than some similar studies in Iran (25,26), Saudi Arabia (27), Eritrea (23), Korea (28), and Libya (29); while more than that of some studies in India, China and Sudan (7,22,30). This discrepancies in various studies conducted in different geographical areas with different climate situations indicate that oral and dental health, rather than being affected by climate condition, are more affected by factors such as cultural, racial, access to dental services, nutritional habits, lifestyle, and the students' status of education for dental health and providing preventive dental health services to them (23,31,32).…”