The development of the oral health promotion program for pre-school children

Abstract

This development research aimed to develop and determine the effectiveness of oral health promotion program. The purposive samplings was used to recruit 25 pre-school children, (aged range 3-5 years) in Nonsung child care center, Muang Distrcit, Udonthani. The measurement included the demographic data questionnaire, the oral health promotion knowledge, dental caries preventive behavior questionnaire, dental caries preventive behavior observation, and self-reported dental health care daily. The reliability of the oral health promotion knowledge instrument was 0.88. The descriptive statistics had been used to analyze by using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The dependent sample t-test (paired t-test) was used to compare mean difference between pre and post attending the program. The results showed the program composed of 5 activities was appropriately for target groups because it provided interesting schedules and various activities suited for kids. Further, parents and caregivers provided positive support and cheered up during their children practiced brush teeth. After attending the program mean score of oral health promotion knowledge had increased statistically significant t 2.69 (p-value < 0.01). Mean score of the dental caries preventive behavior after attending the program found increased statistically significant t 2.38 (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion, the oral health promotion program was practical and useful for pre-school children and should be provided for young children, especially in rural area.