Influence of schoolchildren participating in an oral health education program on their family’s practices

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the influence of schoolchildren participating in an oral health education program on their family’s practices, through the perception of their parents and / or legal guardians. A research, characterized as a descriptive exploratory study, with quantitative and qualitative approach was composed of 146 parents and / or guardians of students aged 4-12 years. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, applied automatically, with open and closed questions. The questions approached address the knowledge of parents about oral health education activities performed at school, the importance they attach to these activities, as well as learning with their children and changing habits at home. In performing 86% of respondents were aware of educational and preventive activities developed at school and all reported to be important activities, especially with regard to health, care and guidance of children. Most survey participants (75%) reported having learned something related to oral health from their children and 30% cited brushing as the factor of greatest learning. In addition, 76% reported changes in their family’s oral health habits. It can be concluded that the students were able to transmit the knowledge acquired at school to their family members, which can contribute to changing your family’s oral health routine.

Keywords

• dentalhealth education
• health promotion
• school health services