Using Egg-cartons as simulated models for teaching tooth brushing to Preschool Children - A randomized control trial

Abstract

Background: Oral Health Programme, Ministry of health, Malaysia highlights the need to enhance oral health promotion and prevention of oral disease for preschool children. Developing and exploring engaging methods of education that enable young children in dental hygiene practices is a way forward in oral health promotion. Objectives: To develop novel activity based tooth brushing teaching method for preschool children using egg cartons as simulated teeth models and evaluate effectiveness of the same Methods: Two methods of teaching tooth brushing technique to preschool children in the age 4 to 6 years were compared through a Randomized Control Trial.: (i) Conventional method (N=32): Instructions on study model (ii) Egg carton simulation method (N=34): Hands on activity on egg cartons as simulated models. Outcome assessed was plaque index (Silness and Loe, 1964) Results: Plaque scores compared using Dependent t-test shows significant improvement in both groups after the teaching sessions (P<.01 for both the methods). However, comparing both methods with each other by independent t-test shows an insignificant difference (P>.01). Conclusion: Egg carton simulation method is as good as the conventional approach as there is significant plaque score reduction in children after the teaching session.