RESUMO
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of school dental health education on the oral health status, oral health-related knowledge, and practice behavior of 6–12-year-old children. Methods: Hand search and electronic search based on the keywords on school dental health education in seven search engines till 2017 identified 7434 articles. Trials involving school-based dental health education with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were screened. Risk of bias assessment was done independently by two authors. Results: Among the 18 articles which fulfilled the eligibility criteria, six were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 12 were non-RCTs. Quality assessment showed that 12 trials had a low risk of bias. Oral health-related knowledge improved in children. Oral health-related practice behaviors such as frequency and duration of brushing improved. Use of fluoridated toothpaste was increased. Plaque scores and gingival bleeding scores reduced. Conclusion: School dental health education had a positive impact on the oral health status, knowledge, and practice behavior of children. There is a definite need for high-quality RCTs analyzing the effectiveness of school dental health education on specific oral health outcomes.
RESUMO
Oral health of schoolchildren is a strong predictor of their overall well-being. This study was planned to assess and compare the objective and subjective parameters of oral health of South Indian school children. Methodology: Three hundred and sixty school children participated in this cross-sectional study. Their oral hygiene status, dental caries status, and treatment needs were assessed. Two questionnaires were filled by these children, to assess their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and their knowledge on oral health. Their academic scores were collected from the schools. Statistical analysis was done using Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA test and Spearman correlation test appropriately. Results: Children with no caries had better OHRQoL (P = 0.02). There was a negative correlation between dental caries status and OHRQoL score (P = 0.003) and dental caries treatment needs and OHRQoL score (P = 0.01). There was a positive correlation between knowledge on oral health and OHRQoL score (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Children with no caries had a better OHRQoL when compared to children with caries. Children with caries had more treatment needs, poor oral hygiene, low quality of life, and performed lesser in academics. However, they had adequate knowledge on oral health. Hence, both objective and subjective parameters of oral health should be given importance while treating children.