Jolanta Aleksejuniene1, Rachel Hei In Pang2. 1. Associate professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 2. Alumna, Dental Hygiene Degree Program, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Abstract
Objective: To examine the effectiveness of peer-led preventive oral health education for elementary school-aged children. Methods: A controlled, non-randomized interventional study included children in grades 4 to 6 (N = 372) from 6 schools in British Columbia, Canada. The control group (3 schools) received a class-based lecture on oral health. In the intervention group (3 schools), each sixth grader mentored a small group of fourth and fifth graders. The study outcomes were 1) need for oral care referrals (visual screening); 2) oral health knowledge (self-reports); 3) oral self-care practice (OSC-P); and 4) oral self-care skills (OSC-S). Assessments of OSC-P and OSC-S were based on disclosed dental biofilm levels. Study group comparisons were done at baseline and 8 to 12 months. Results: A high need for oral care referrals was found, with a substantial reduction achieved during the study period. Dietary knowledge improved minimally in the intervention group. In both study groups and within age groups, there was a wide variation in OSC-P and OSC-S. Overall, children's OSC-P scores were substantially higher than their OSC-S scores. Oral self-care outcomes improved over time in both groups (except for fourth graders in the control group), with a more substantial improvement in the intervention group. From baseline to study end, the mean OSC-P improved by 11.9% (intervention group) and 5.9% (control group). Improvement values for OSC-S were 12.8% and 5.2%. Conclusions: The need for oral care referrals was reduced, but improvement in oral health knowledge was minimal. Oral self-care outcomes improved more in the intervention than in the control group.
Objective: To examine the effectiveness of peer-led preventive oral health education for elementary school-aged children. Methods: A controlled, non-randomized interventional study included children in grades 4 to 6 (N = 372) from 6 schools in British Columbia, Canada. The control group (3 schools) received a class-based lecture on oral health. In the intervention group (3 schools), each sixth grader mentored a small group of fourth and fifth graders. The study outcomes were 1) need for oral care referrals (visual screening); 2) oral health knowledge (self-reports); 3) oral self-care practice (OSC-P); and 4) oral self-care skills (OSC-S). Assessments of OSC-P and OSC-S were based on disclosed dental biofilm levels. Study group comparisons were done at baseline and 8 to 12 months. Results: A high need for oral care referrals was found, with a substantial reduction achieved during the study period. Dietary knowledge improved minimally in the intervention group. In both study groups and within age groups, there was a wide variation in OSC-P and OSC-S. Overall, children's OSC-P scores were substantially higher than their OSC-S scores. Oral self-care outcomes improved over time in both groups (except for fourth graders in the control group), with a more substantial improvement in the intervention group. From baseline to study end, the mean OSC-P improved by 11.9% (intervention group) and 5.9% (control group). Improvement values for OSC-S were 12.8% and 5.2%. Conclusions: The need for oral care referrals was reduced, but improvement in oral health knowledge was minimal. Oral self-care outcomes improved more in the intervention than in the control group.