The effects of dental health education program on behavioral modification for oral hygiene care in high school students, Nikomkhamsoi, Mukdahan.

Abstract

Objective: To study the effectiveness of dental health education program towards changing dental health behaviors in high school students and to study the relationship between perceptions, attitudes towards oral health care and the change of dental health behaviors.

Materials and methods: The quasi-experimental study in a sample of 65 secondary school students in Nikomkhamsoi, Mukdahan Province, by organizing a dental health education program in perceptions in oral health, attitudes towards oral health care and practice for prevention of oral diseases. Data were collected before and after the experiment using questionnaires, perception/attitude assessment form, and plaque record form (debris index). Data were analyzed using mean comparison (t-test) at the significance level of 0.05 and Pearson correlation to determine the relationship between perception of oral diseases, attitudes, and behavior modification in oral hygiene.

Results: After receiving the dental health education program, students had better perception in oral health and attitude toward oral health care. There was a statistically significant decrease in plaque accumulation (P<0.01) and increased perception was associated with positive attitude (r=0.487), but no correlation was found in perception in oral health, attitude towards oral health care and practice for prevention of oral diseases.    

Conclusion: There was no correlation between perceptions in oral health, attitudes towards oral health care and behavioral changing for prevention of oral diseases. Therefore, other behavioral theories and other strategies should be applied to develop the oral health promotion program in high school students.