Promoting oral health in primary schools - opportunities and challenges

Methods: 20 primary schools from socially and economically deprived areas of Cardiff, UK were purposively selected to participate in this qualitative study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with headteachers or their nominated deputies. All interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed through a process of thematic content analysis and validated using a process of inter-rater reliability.

Results: Awareness of health and oral health was good with all schools promoting the consumption of fruit, water and milk and discouraging products such as carbonated drinks and confectionaries. Successful health promotion schemes were influenced by the attitudes of headteachers but were also occasionally dependant on ad hoc arrangements or fortuitous links. Oral health tended to be viewed as a separate entity to general health and, while school admission forms often sought details of general medical history, none routinely collected information on dental history. Most schools had limited links with local dental services but input from outside agencies, such as oral health educators, was highly valued. Only two schools operated toothbrushing schemes, although all expressed an interest in such programmes. Awareness of how to deal with dental trauma was also limited.

Conclusions: This study identified a positive predisposition to promoting health in primary schools. The challenge for the dental team is to promote and integrate oral health into mainstream health promotion activities in schools.

Acknowledgment: Study funded by the Cymorth Fund.