IADR Abstract Archives

Change of Knowledge and Behavior by the Mass Toothbrushing Exercise

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral health knowledge and improvement of behavior in elementary school children by Mass Tooth-brushing Exercise for caries prevention. Methods: 30 elementary schools in Tokyo metropolitan and suburban area including 1881 upper grade pupils participated the Mass Toothbrushing Exercise. 485 pupils from 8 schools were randomly chosen for questionnaire elvaluation before and after the exercise. Results: Oral health knowledge and behavior of school children were improved after participation of the exercise. The children understanding of "early stage caries" increased by 31.5% and "dental plaque" by 32.9%. Tooth brushing frequency was also improved from 2.22 to 2.56 times a day in average. With regard to the questionnaire, positive questions seem to lead children to correct knowledge. Conclusions: These results indicated that Mass Tooth-brushing Exercise promoted understanding of oral health knowledge, enhancing oral health consciousness and behavior modification of oral health.


Division: Southeast Asian Division Meeting
Meeting: 2004 Southeast Asian Division Meeting (Koh Samui, Thailand)
Location: Koh Samui, Thailand
Year: 2004
Final Presentation ID: 102
Abstract Category|Abstract Category(s): Scientific Groups
Authors
  • Yamada, Kiyoshi  ( The Lion Foundation for Dental Health, Tokyo, N/A, Japan )
  • Kaneko, Kenji  ( The Lion Foundation for Dental Health, Tokyo, N/A, Japan )
  • Kurokawa, Akiko  ( The Lion Foundation for Dental Health, Tokyo, N/A, Japan )
  • SESSION INFORMATION
    Oral Session
    Education Research
    09/05/2004