Teaching Sugar in Schools: A Scoping Review of School-Based Sugar Interventions and Their Relevance to Oral Health
Rara W. Gayatri, Taufan Bramantoro, Dini Setyowati, Nor A. M. Nor
Abstract
Objective:
This study aimed to map the key topics related to sugar consumption in school-based health promotion interventions and examine the extent of oral health integration.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL databases, with the last update conducted on March 23, 2026. Gray literature was also used based on World Health Organization database. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies reporting school-based health promotion interventions focused on sugar consumption among elementary school students were included. Study selection followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach.
Results:
Of the 1115 records identified, 50 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most interventions focused on reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption (
Conclusion:
School-based health promotion programs address various aspects of sugar consumption, particularly reducing SSB consumption; however, despite the established link between sugar intake and dental caries, few interventions explicitly incorporate oral health components. Greater integration of oral health content may strengthen the preventive impact of sugar-focused health promotion, support caries prevention, reinforce dietary counseling, and enhance preventive dental strategies for elementary school-aged children.