Impact of Three Different Education Methods on Oral Hygiene and Theoretical Knowledge of Schoolchildren

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the impact of three different education methods on the oral hygiene levels of school children using clinical and theoretical findings. Material and Methods: 144 children (72 males and 72 females), whose ages ranged between 8-13, were divided into 12 equal experimental groups according to their ages and gender. They were all considered to have poor hygiene. Only one out of the three different education methods (brochure, model or video) was applied to each group. The percentage change in PI, GI, BOP and theoretical test points from the baseline to the 6th months were evaluated. The data was statistically analysed by using Kolmogorov- Smirnov and One-way ANOVA tests. Results: Reduction in PI, GI and BOP scores was significantly greater (p<0.05) in the video applied groups compared to the brochure groups in the age of 8-10 groups for both genders and in 11-13-year-old males. In 11- 13-year-old females, all methods showed similar results (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in test points in 8-10 and 11-13-year-old female groups (p>0.05), whereas a significant increase in test points was observed in the video and model applied groups compared to the brochure groups in 8-10 and 11-13-year-old male groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: It may be more helpful and effective for children to get the oral hygiene education using the visual methods, especially for those under the age of ten.