IADR Abstract Archives
Health Promoting Schools Project for Palestine Children's Oral Health
Objectives: To assess the oral health (OH) outcome of a two-year comprehensive school OH programme based on school health education including supervised toothbrushing 1,450 ppm F toothpaste being used for schoolchildren in Palestine.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study (2016-2018) recruited 3939 SC aged 5-6-years from 30 intervention schools (n=2333) and 31 comparison schools (n=1606). At baseline and post-intervention, mothers and schoolteachers completed WHO self-administered questionnaires about OH of children, OH behaviour, and family factors. The study participation was 75.8%. Calibrated dentists examined dental caries of children according to WHO criteria. Trained teachers provided comprehensive OH education for children and mothers. Children brushed their teeth with fluoride-containing toothpaste (1,450 ppm F). Student's t-test and logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis of changes in dental health and related knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes (P<0.05).
Results: The reduction in DMFT and DMFS was 23.3% and 23.2% (P<0.001), respectively. The drop-in caries experience indices in Gaza Strip were eight to four times higher than in West Bank and it reached 47.7% reduction. Mothers and teachers showed improvement in positive knowledge and attitudes towards dental care. Schoolteacher involvement in OH in schools significantly enhanced the oral OH behaviour of children.
Conclusions: School programmes are important for national oral disease intervention and essential for the improvement of OH habits of schoolchildren and their parents’ living in conflict zones. The project shows the significance of the WHO Health Promoting Schools concept, and schoolteachers should carry out that classroom-based health education.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study (2016-2018) recruited 3939 SC aged 5-6-years from 30 intervention schools (n=2333) and 31 comparison schools (n=1606). At baseline and post-intervention, mothers and schoolteachers completed WHO self-administered questionnaires about OH of children, OH behaviour, and family factors. The study participation was 75.8%. Calibrated dentists examined dental caries of children according to WHO criteria. Trained teachers provided comprehensive OH education for children and mothers. Children brushed their teeth with fluoride-containing toothpaste (1,450 ppm F). Student's t-test and logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis of changes in dental health and related knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes (P<0.05).
Results: The reduction in DMFT and DMFS was 23.3% and 23.2% (P<0.001), respectively. The drop-in caries experience indices in Gaza Strip were eight to four times higher than in West Bank and it reached 47.7% reduction. Mothers and teachers showed improvement in positive knowledge and attitudes towards dental care. Schoolteacher involvement in OH in schools significantly enhanced the oral OH behaviour of children.
Conclusions: School programmes are important for national oral disease intervention and essential for the improvement of OH habits of schoolchildren and their parents’ living in conflict zones. The project shows the significance of the WHO Health Promoting Schools concept, and schoolteachers should carry out that classroom-based health education.