IADR Abstract Archives
The Influence of “Dental Festival” on Knowledge and Attitude Relating to Oral Health among School Children in the Philippines
Objectives: A “Dental Festival” (DF) is a dental health activity in which children can participate directly in given dental programs. Questionnaire surveys were conducted to measure the influence of these programs on these children’s knowledge and attitudes relating to oral health.
Methods: In August, 2016, 772 third-grade children in two primary schools in Manila, participated in the following four programs: A) Partner caries identification, B) Beverage sugar analysis using a refractometer, C) Self-check of gum condition, and D) Removing disclosed plaque by toothbrush. Children visited each booth in group of 10 and practiced required tasks under the guidance of dentists or dental hygienists. Two questionnaires were prepared in Tagalog to measure the children’s awareness and behavior of their oral health. One was filled out a week before and the other just after the DF. Both questionnaires had several identical questions where before and after DF could be compared. Statistical analysis was subsequently conducted on the results of these surveys.
Results: The questionnaire revealed that 82% of children had previously experienced toothache, and 31% had missed school due to toothache. The proportion of children who answered that they had significant decayed teeth increased to 84% from 67% after the DF, suggesting that they could better notice their own oral health problems through this activity. This result clearly indicated that DF could help prevent cavities. However, children responses concerning their gingival health didn’t significantly change before (63%) vs. after (60%) the DF. This might be because it’s difficult for them to understand the symptoms of gingivitis associated with plaque.
Conclusions: It was suggested that DF had a desirable influence on certain areas of knowledge and attitudes on maintaining the oral health of the children.
Methods: In August, 2016, 772 third-grade children in two primary schools in Manila, participated in the following four programs: A) Partner caries identification, B) Beverage sugar analysis using a refractometer, C) Self-check of gum condition, and D) Removing disclosed plaque by toothbrush. Children visited each booth in group of 10 and practiced required tasks under the guidance of dentists or dental hygienists. Two questionnaires were prepared in Tagalog to measure the children’s awareness and behavior of their oral health. One was filled out a week before and the other just after the DF. Both questionnaires had several identical questions where before and after DF could be compared. Statistical analysis was subsequently conducted on the results of these surveys.
Results: The questionnaire revealed that 82% of children had previously experienced toothache, and 31% had missed school due to toothache. The proportion of children who answered that they had significant decayed teeth increased to 84% from 67% after the DF, suggesting that they could better notice their own oral health problems through this activity. This result clearly indicated that DF could help prevent cavities. However, children responses concerning their gingival health didn’t significantly change before (63%) vs. after (60%) the DF. This might be because it’s difficult for them to understand the symptoms of gingivitis associated with plaque.
Conclusions: It was suggested that DF had a desirable influence on certain areas of knowledge and attitudes on maintaining the oral health of the children.