Evolving insights: The role of structured audiovisual-assisted personalized educational intervention in improving parental knowledge of the child’s oral health
Namita Kalra, Padma Yangdol, Rishi Tyagi, Amit Khatri, Deepak Khandelwal, Harshita Bisht, Aman KumarAbstract
Introduction:
Oral health education enables informed decisions and encourages preventive care. Mothers, as primary caregivers, play a crucial role in shaping their children’s oral hygiene and dietary habits.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an audio-visual intervention in enhancing parental knowledge of child oral health.
Materials and Methods:
An evidence-based, tailored interactive educational video titled “Oral Health Education for Children and Mothers” was developed and delivered in Hindi to enhance accessibility and understanding of oral health and prevention. The 15-min session was administered to 115 mothers of children aged 2–14 years. The video covered topics including susceptibility of primary teeth to caries, early childhood caries, effects on permanent teeth, brushing techniques (twice daily, supervised, Fones method), diet, oral hygiene, preventive care, misconceptions, and the importance of regular dental visits. Pre- and postintervention questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS v23 with
Results and Discussion:
Postintervention, maternal knowledge significantly improved. About 90% recognized that primary teeth are prone to cavities and need care. Around 77.4% understood the importance of regular brushing and proper technique, and 99.1% identified sugary and fizzy drinks as contributors to dental caries. Nearly all participants acknowledged the importance of routine dental checkups.
Conclusion:
The study confirms that a tailored, interactive, video-based educational approach is an effective tool for improving maternal awareness and attitudes toward children’s oral health. Such interventions can be integrated into community-based health promotion strategies to address oral health disparities and encourage sustainable preventive practices.