A study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching program on school children regarding oral hygiene: A pre- and posttest implementation observational study

Abstract

Background: Impact of planned health teaching program on knowledge and practices of school children regarding oral care was planned to be studied. Materials and Methods: The current study was planned with an aim to assess the preexisting knowledge regarding oral hygiene and to evaluate the effectiveness of planned teaching program related to oral hygiene. A preexperimental research approach, one group pretest–posttest design was adopted for the study. Forty-four school children of 3rd–5th class in a private school were included in this study. Data were collected through structured interview questionnaire to assess the knowledge of 3rd–5th class children. Results: The mean posttest knowledge score (11.4) was higher than the mean pretest knowledge scores (8.6) with t value (t = 5.7, P < 0.05). Significant difference in the pretest and posttest was found. The posttest knowledge score is higher than pretest knowledge score with a mean difference of 2.8. Conclusion: There is a significant impact of planned health education using PowerPoint presentations, placards, posters, and live demonstrations on oral hygiene.

Keywords

• children
• oral hygiene
• teeth