Assessment of Oral Health Promotion Programs in Schools and their Long-Term Effects

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: School-based oral health promotion initiatives are essential for enhancing children’s and teenagers’ oral health outcomes. However, the long-term efficacy of these initiatives is yet unknown. Methods: Over the course of a year, 500 children between the ages of 6 and 12 years participated in prospective observational research. Two groups of 250 participants each—the intervention group and the control group—were created. While the control group only got basic oral health information, the intervention group participated in a full program aimed at promoting oral health. Over the course of 2 years, baseline data on the participants’ oral health condition were gathered, and follow-up evaluations were carried out every 6 months. Results: At the 12-month follow-up, the intervention group showed a substantial decrease in dental caries prevalence (15.2% vs. 23.6%, P < 0.001) as compared to the control group. In addition, the intervention group showed better oral hygiene habits than the control group (P < 0.001), such as decreased plaque index and more frequent brushing. In conclusion, school-based initiatives to promote oral health are successful in enhancing children’s and adolescents’ long-term dental health outcomes. These initiatives are essential in lowering the prevalence of dental caries and encouraging good oral hygiene habits. Ensuring the long-term dental health and well-being of future generations requires sustained investment in school-based oral health promotion efforts.