Health education program in knowledge, attitude and practice among primary school students towards dental caries in Najran - Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

Background: Health education program about dental health is one of the

reasons behind the declining of dental caries' rates in many industrialized

countries. Other reasons include consumption of fluoridated toothpastes,

effective and accessible oral health services.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of

health education program in knowledge, attitudes and practice towards

dental caries among school children during the period from 2013- 2016.

Material & Methods: School-based interventional study design was

adopted. A systemic random sample technique was used to obtain sample

of 288 students from 3 different public primary schools for girls. The

principal method of data collection was a semi structured questionnaire

beside clinical examination that guided by DMFT index.

Results: The result shows that 209 students out of 288 have dental caries

(a rate of 72.57%). DMFT mean of the surveyed subjects was 0.73.

Around 16% of the examined students didn't know the causes of dental

caries. The study also revealed that 37% of the students get their

knowledge about oral issues from their parents. 90% of students with

dental problems have positive family history. After conducting the health

education program the students' knowledge was significantly (p< 0.01)

improved about fluoridated toothpastes, hygiene practices and the

importance of visiting dentists was significantly (p< 0.01) increased.

Conclusion: Poor oral hygiene practices, lack of parental guidance,

hereditary factor together with lack of appropriate dental knowledge and

frequent exposure to cariogenic foods are the main risk factors for dental

decay among the surveyed students.

Recommendation: Extra emphasis on dental health education programs

in cooperation between education and medical authorities should be

considered and implemented in Najran area.

Key words: Dental caries, health education, school children, DMFT

index.