The Effectiveness of an Educational Program on Oral Health in Schools for Improving the Application of Knowledge

Abstract

These three investigators combine their efforts in an attempt to measure the effect of oral health education in schools.

Dental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Indochinese and Australian‐born adolescents

“…The regression analyses showed that dental knowledge per se did not contribute to an explanation of preventive dental health behavior, a finding in agreement with olher studies (14)(15)(16)(17)(18). However there is an uncertain relationship between knowledge and dental health behavior and more than a suggestion that a basic level of dental health knowledge may be required for preventive behaviors to occur (19).…”

An overview of oral health promotion in adolescents

“…It is important to consider that the improvements in knowledge were measured differently. Some studies reported the number of children who improved their knowledge with regard to different oral health questions (maximum 80%) 31,39,41 , whereas others presented the differences in the mean numbers of the pre‐ and post‐test knowledge scores 33,34,37,42 . Following the latter approach, the 11–55% increase in knowledge was achieved.…”

“…The inconsistent findings regarding gender differences in oral health knowledge were shown. Although some studies reported one gender group being more receptive than another to dental health education 18,36,37 , the others found no significant differences in oral health‐related knowledge between males and females 33,41–43 .…”

“…Fewer studies evaluated changes in adolescents’ attitude towards dental health before and after behavioural interventions. Only slight (3.3–3.5%) or no improvement in attitude was reported 33,36,37,42 . Moreover, the changes in dental attitude appeared to be prone to deterioration over time as the effects were no longer sustained after a few months 36,37 .…”

The Classroom Teacher… Effective Dental Health Educator

“…Administrator's Guidethis guide assists the administrator in planning and solving logistical problems for the teacher workshop and various stages of introduction of the dental disease prevention program in the school. 6. Parent's Guide -A brochure to familiarize the parents of each student with the various mouth IECCO-Educational Communications Co., P.O.…”