ประสิทธิผลของโปรแกรมการดูแลสุขภาพช่องปากในเด็ก 6 เดือน - 2 ปี  ด้วยสื่อดิจิทัล "21 for FUN" สำหรับผู้ดูแลในจังหวัดสงขลา

Wirocha Phiancharoen; Samerchit Pithpornchaiyakul; Jaranya Hunsrisakhun

Authors

Wirocha Phiancharoen Songkhla Provincial Public Health Office
Samerchit Pithpornchaiyakul Faculty of dentistry, Prince of Songkhla University
Jaranya Hunsrisakhun Faculty of dentistry, Prince of Songkhla University

Keywords:

tooth brushing behavior, microbial plaque level, child caregivers, motivation theory

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries is a significant oral health problem in young children, particularly in Southern Thailand, where the incidence of dental caries is higher than the national average. Tooth brushing is an effective preventive method, but appropriate approaches for promoting such behavior are still lacking.

Research objectives: To compare oral hygiene behavior and microbial plaque levels in children aged 6 months to 2 years between groups receiving tooth brushing training using real children (hands-on practice) with posters and groups receiving tooth brushing training using simulation dolls with "21 for FUN" media.

Research methodology: This was a quasi-experimental study with a two-group pretest-posttest design. The sample consisted of 1,156 pairs of children aged 6 months - 2 years and their primary caregivers in Songkhla Province, divided into 532 pairs for the group trained in tooth brushing on real children with posters and 624 pairs for the group trained in tooth brushing on dolls with "21 for FUN" media using simple random sampling. Tooth brushing behavior, caregivers' knowledge levels, and microbial plaque levels in children were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analytical statistics by T-test, Paired t-test and Chi-square.

Results: After the intervention, both groups showed significant increases in knowledge levels, tooth brushing behavior and microbial plaque levels decreased significantly (p < .001). However, it was found that the knowledge levels, tooth brushing behavior, and microbial plaque levels after the experiment between the experimental and control groups were not significantly different (p = .698).

Conclusions: Both methods were effective in promoting tooth brushing behavior among caregivers and reducing microbial plaque levels in children.

Implications: Training in tooth brushing on dolls with "21 for FUN" media can be an effective alternative when there are limitations in personnel and time.

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