Evaluation of knowledge and plaque scores in school children before and after health education

Abstract

Background:Health education is a process of transmission of knowledge and skills necessary for improvement in quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the oral hygiene related knowledge and plaque scores of 12-year-old school children in Belgaum city before and after health education.Methods:Three schools of Belgaum city were randomly selected and assigned into one of three health educational groups – group I (audiovisual aids), group II (chalk and blackboard) and group III (no health education). Oral health related knowledge and plaque scores were assessed in all the groups before and after health education.Results:The mean knowledge score before intervention in group I was 7.94, in group II was 7.86 and in group III was 7.74 (P=0.86). After intervention, the mean knowledge score was 14.42 in group I, 12.7 in group II and 9.58 in group III (P<0.001). Plaque scores in the three groups were similar and statistically nonsignificant at baseline. After the oral health education, the mean plaque scores were 0.627 in group I, 0.8826 in group II and 1.0156 in group III. Within the group comparisons revealed a statistically improved oral hygiene with decreased plaque scores in all the three groups.Conclusion:Health education by audiovisual aids could be an effective preventive measure against plaque-related oral diseases.

Effectiveness of different oral health education interventions in visually impaired school children

“…Health education is a widely accepted approach in the prevention of oral diseases, it not only reduces the incidence of oral diseases but is also cost‐effective and easy to administer. These programmes bring about new behaviors to reinforce and maintain a healthy lifestyle that will promote and improve individual health . The prime objective of this study was to assess and improve the oral hygiene knowledge, attitude and practices among visually impaired school children of a small village in India.…”

“…These programmes bring about new behaviors to reinforce and maintain a healthy lifestyle that will promote and improve individual health. 19,20 The prime objective of this study was to assess and improve the oral hygiene knowledge, attitude and practices among visually impaired school children of a small village in India. Periodic reinforcement was performed at an interval of 21 days, 3, 6, and 9 months as it plays a complementary role in the school-based health education programmes.…”

Effectiveness of a novel oral health education technique in maintenance of gingival health and plaque removal efficacy among institutionalized visually impaired children of Bhubaneswar city: A randomized controlled trial

“…Very few studies have used Braille, audio aids, and ATP to impart oral health education to the visually impaired . However, no study has compared the effectiveness of this novel technique (ATP) to audio combined with Braille methods.…”

“…10 Very few studies have used Braille, audio aids, and ATP to impart oral health education to the visually impaired. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] However, no study has compared the effectiveness of this novel technique (ATP) to audio combined with Braille methods. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of ATP in maintenance of gingival health and plaque removal efficacy among institutionalized visually impaired children of Bhubaneswar city.…”

Impact of School Based Oral Health Education Programmes in India: A Systematic Review

“…Ten articles were found to be relevant to the impact of school dental health education, and hence were included in the present review [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Data from all the 10 articles was critically analyzed to determine the impact and effectiveness of school dental health education programmes conducted in different parts of the country [Table/ Fig-2].…”