World Journal of Dentistry

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VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 6 ( November-December, 2020 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Effectiveness of Oral Health Promotion among Teachers and Parents of Special Care School Children in Al-Kharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Altaf H Shah, Amjad H Wyne, Saad A Sheehan, Abdullah S Alghmlas, Hussam S Almadi, AlBandary H AlJameel

Citation Information : Shah AH, Wyne AH, Sheehan SA, Alghmlas AS, Almadi HS, AlJameel AH. Effectiveness of Oral Health Promotion among Teachers and Parents of Special Care School Children in Al-Kharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. World J Dent 2020; 11 (6):482-487.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10015-1779

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 03-04-2021

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2020; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oral health promotion among teachers and parents of Special Care School Children (SCSC) in Al-Kharj Province of Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods: Out of 936 children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) in 18 schools that have programs to teach SCSC, 8 boys’ schools were chosen randomly. Fifty-six teachers and 74 parents of SCSC were involved in the oral health promotion of 163 SCSC, all males, aged 6–15 years. Oral health promotion was done at each school according to the specific needs of the group as well as the training of teachers. Parents and teachers were given training on the use of powered toothbrushing with commercially available fluoridated (1,450 ppm) toothpaste. Plaque scores were taken at baseline, at 3 months’ interval, and finally at 6 months. Oral health knowledge and attitude of teachers and parents of SCSC were evaluated at the start and then finally at 6 months. Results: The average mean plaque score for the whole SCSC group at baseline was 1.55 that reduced to 1.35 after 3 months and finally to 1.1 after 6 months. The reduction of plaque scores was statistically significant (p < 0.05) using a one-sample t-test after the incorporation of the supervised toothbrushing program. There was a significant change in the knowledge and attitude of the parents as well as the teachers of the SCSC after the incorporation of oral health promotion. Conclusion: Preventive oral health programs involving teachers and parents of SCSC resulted in significantly lower plaque scores. The program also resulted in improved oral health knowledge and attitude among teachers and parents of SCSC. Clinical significance: Oral health care remains the most frequently cited unmet health need for CSHCN. In view of high unmet need and problems faced with access to oral health care, it is significant that preventive oral health measures are incorporated into the daily regime for SCSC. Oral health promotion in the form of better plaque control along with improved oral health knowledge and attitude of teachers as well as parents of SCSC is recommended.


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