Impact of Educational Intervention on Dental Hygiene among Children in Selected Schools of Punjab
Ruchi Sharma, Raman Kalia, Gopal Singh CharanAbstract
Introduction:
Oral health is crucial for well-being, affecting aesthetics, function and social interactions. Dental caries is prevalent among children, demanding public health action.
Objectives:
The study aimed to assess the impact of the educational intervention on dental hygiene among children.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 300 school children from four schools in Punjab. Schools were selected using convenience sampling; two schools were assigned to the intervention group and two to the control group to minimize contamination. All eligible students were included, resulting in 150 children in each group. Pretests was conducted using by socio-demographic proforma, pre-designed knowledge questionnaire and an observational practices checklist. Data were collected through interview methods. The intervention group received educational sessions on dental hygiene, while the control group received routine care. After 3% dropout rate, the final analysis included 291 children (145 experimental, 146 control) who underwent post-tests on the 10th and 12th days.
Results:
Initially, both the groups showed similar knowledge levels (median scores: 8 [4] vs. 8 [5],
Conclusion:
These findings emphasise the effectiveness of educational interventions in enhancing children’s dental hygiene knowledge and practices, advocating for their broader implementation to improve public health outcomes.