Effectiveness of dental health education intervention using the 16-surface tooth brushing program among 7–9-year-old schoolchildren in Indonesia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of dental health education for teachers and parents on children aged 7–9 years old. Material and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a nonrandomized control group and a pretest-posttest design. The intervention group comprised 20 teachers and 66 mothers, whereas the control group consisted of 10 teachers and 54 mothers. Data on the knowledge and behavior of teachers and mothers were retrieved by pretest and posttest questionnaires. The 66 children in the intervention group underwent a 16-surface tooth brushing program, whereas the 54 children in the control group were only provided theoretical education by their teachers and mothers. The evaluation was conducted after one month to measure the children’s dental plaque index. Results: An increase in teachers’ oral health knowledge (16.7%), teachers’ oral health behavior (20%), mothers’ oral health knowledge (16.7%), and mothers’ oral health behavior (20%) was noted; the children’s plaque index was decreased (47%). Conclusion: The dental health education of teachers and parents (mothers) supported by the 16-surface teeth brushing program resulted in a significant reduction in the dental plaque index in children aged 7–9 years old.