Effectiveness of Oral Health Education Strategies among Children in Residential Homes in Bengaluru City – A Quasi-Experimental Study
L. Angelin Mary, Namita Shanbhag, Manjunath P. PuranikAbstract
Background:
Oral health education (OHE) is routinely delivered by the dentist. Another approach of OHE is to teach students by their peers. This study evaluated the effectiveness of peer-led and dentist-led OHE strategies among the children in residential homes.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 11–14-year-old children living in residential homes of Bengalurucity. A sample size of 50 each in peer and dentist-led groups was estimated. OHE was provided in both groups using PowerPoint presentation, models and posters by the investigator. Both the groups received questionnaires and intra-oral examination at baseline, 3
rd
and 6
th
months. The following questionnaires were administered (i) modified child dental anxiety scale (f) (ii) Child Perception Questionnaire
11–14
(CPQ
11–14
) (iii) Oral health knowledge (OHK), attitude and behavior questionnaire. Intraoral assessment to assess Decayed, Missing, Filled teeth was done using the World Health Organization oral health assessment form for children 2013, along with plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI). Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and ANOVA with
Results:
The mean age of the subjects among the peer and dentist-led groups was 12.94 ± 1.04 years and 12.90 ± 1.03 years, respectively (
Conclusion:
The peer-led strategy is as effective as the dentist-led strategy of OHE. Hence, peer leaders can be utilized to deliver oral health information.