Objectives To assess effectiveness of an oral health education (OHE) programme on oral hygiene knowledge, practices, plaque control and gingival health of 13‐ to 15‐year‐old school children in Bangalore city. Methods Three schools were randomly selected and assigned to experimental I, experimental II and control groups. At baseline, a 20‐item questionnaire was used to assess the oral hygiene knowledge and practices. Clinical examinations (Turesky–Gilmore–Glickman modification of Quigley Hein plaque index; Loe–Silness gingival index) were performed by 2 examiners. OHE was provided by the investigator for experimental groups I (lecture using a PowerPoint presentation) and II (lecture using a PowerPoint presentation with toothbrushing demonstration). Control group did not receive any intervention. Reinforcement was provided for experimental groups at 3 and 6 months. At end of 9 months, questionnaire was administered and clinical examinations were performed. Data were analysed using chi‐square, anova and post hoc Tukey's tests. Results Nine months post‐intervention, there was significant improvement in oral hygiene knowledge and practices in experimental groups. There were significant reductions in mean plaque index and gingival index scores in the experimental groups. The control group did not show any significant improvement. Conclusion Active involvement of school children with reinforcement of OHE can improve oral hygiene knowledge, practices and gingival health and decrease plaque levels.

Casein phosphopeptide (CPP) has the potential to be added to mouth rinses, gels, toothpastes, chewing gums and confectioneries. Until now CPP has been studied in vitro, in situ and in animals, but clinical trials are lacking. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of CPP-containing toothpaste in preventing dental caries in schoolchildren. The study was conducted among 150 schoolchildren randomly divided into three groups, each using one of three types of toothpastes: (a) containing 2% w/w CPP; (b) containing 1,190 mg/kg fluoride as 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP); (c) placebo toothpaste without CPP or fluoride. Students brushed with the given toothpastes for 24 months. Oral hygiene and caries experience were assessed at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The increments in caries lesions were calculated and analyzed to assess the caries-preventive effect. A significant reduction in caries increment was observed among students using CPP toothpaste or SMFP toothpaste, compared with the group using the placebo toothpaste. The reduction in caries increment was not significantly different between the CPP and SMFP groups. Oral Hygiene Index score increased from the 12-month to the 24-month examination. It is concluded that CPP can be effectively incorporated into calcium carbonate-based toothpaste and that toothpaste containing CPP is effective in preventing caries. Toothpaste containing 2% CPP seemed to have an efficacy similar to paste containing 1,190 mg/kg SMFP in the prevention of caries.

After all associated factors were controlled, 6-n-propylthiouracil taste status was the only independent variable significantly related to overall caries experience.

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