Effects and Benefits of a Program to Promote Tooth Brushing Among 12-Year-Old School Children in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Objective: a. to examine whether the DMFT level has decreased among 12-year-old children in the Dominican Republic, and b. to evaluate the impact of the School-based Oral Health Education and Hygiene program (based on ‘Fit for School’ approach) of the Foundation Bocas Sanas Holanda-Maimón (BSHM). Methods: The DMFT and PUFA levels of 136 primary school children (intervention group N=65 and control group N=71) were measured around Puerto Plata by two dental hygienists. Moreover, 34 teachers and volunteers, who are involved in tooth brushing behavior program of the children at six ‘BSHM-schools’, completed voluntarily an evaluation questionnaire. Results: Findings show that in seven years the DMFT-level at ‘BSHM-schools’ has significantly decreased from DMFT=3.9 to DMFT=3.6, p=0.025. The DMFT- and PUFA-levels were significantly different between both groups, i.e., less caries, fillings, pulpal involvement, and fistulas. More caries was seen at schools that were visited by tourists. The evaluation by teachers showed a moderate understanding, remembering, implementation of this BSHM-program, and the availability of enough fluoride toothpaste and water were the determining factors too. Conclusion: A decreased DMFT level was found in 12-year-old children at the ‘BSHM-schools’. This BSHM program should be more focused on schools in regions with a negative impact of tourism on caries prevalence. It is important to create an optimal working alliance among teachers and BSHM-volunteers in the school-based oral health interventions. Insights into the benefits of this program and refinements of optimally targeted intervention, including longitudinal studies are needed to improve the results. Keywords: School-based oral health education and hygiene program; Oral health promotion; Tooth brushing; Bocas Sanas Holanda-Maimón;