Application of Dental Health Program for Elementary School Children

Ahn, Hye Young; Yi, Ggodme

Abstract

PURPOSE
In this study an analysis was done of participants who were educated using a dental health program as compared to a control group who only used a booklet on the subject. The participants were elementary school children and the education focused on dental health knowledge, behavior, health belief, and self-efficacy.
METHODS
Sixth grade students from two different schools in D-city were assigned to an experimental group which was educated using a dental health program over five weeks and a control group which was educated with a dental care booklet.
RESULTS
The experimental group showed significant increases in knowledge, behavior, sensitivity, severity, benefit, belief, and self-efficacy indicating that the program was effective, but there were no significant differences in self-efficacy, sensitivity, severity, importance, or disability between the two groups. Significant differences between the groups were found for knowledge, behavior, and benefits regarding dental health.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate that a dental health program for elementary school students is effective in increasing their knowledge and behavior regarding dental health but the lack of significant differences in several of the variables in this study may be related to the education provided to the control group using a booklet.