Impact of School Oral Health Education on Caries Experience and Oral Hygiene Status of Primary School Children: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Oral health education in schools can have a positive impact on oral hygiene practices and clinical oral health in primary school children. Objective: To evaluate the effect of structured school-based oral health education on caries experience and oral hygiene status among primary school children aged 6–12 years. Methodology: The study was a comparative interventional study of 12 months’ duration. There were a total of 132 children who were enrolled and 66 (50.00%) were assigned to the intervention group and 66 (50.00%) to the comparison group. The intervention was conducted for three months and the OHI-S and DMFT/dmft indices were used for the assessment of oral hygiene and caries experience at baseline and follow-up. Results: Of 132 children, 120 (90.91%) completed follow-up, including 60 (50.00%) in each group. Mean OHI-S decreased from 2.18 ± 0.61 to 1.24 ± 0.49 in the intervention group, compared with 2.21 ± 0.64 to 2.05 ± 0.62 in the comparison group (p<0.001). Good oral hygiene increased from 8 (13.33%) to 31 (51.67%) in the intervention group. Baseline caries experience was present in 88 (66.67%) children, while follow-up caries experience was 39 (65.00%) and 43 (71.67%) in the intervention and comparison groups, respectively (p=0.436). Conclusion: Structured school-based oral health education improved oral hygiene status and related practices, but a clear short-term effect on cumulative caries experience was not demonstrated.