Effects of health-promoting school strategy on dental plaque control and preventive behaviors in schoolchildren in high-caries, rural areas of Taiwan: a quasi-experimental design

BMC Oral Health

Kai-Yang Lo¹  Hsiao-Ling Huang²  Chun-Ting Wei³  Fu-Li Chen⁴  Yi-Ching Lin⁵  Chih-Yang Hu⁶ 

[1] Center for Physical and Health Education, National Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 70 Lien-hai Rd., 80424, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Sanmin Dist., 80708, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan;Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Sanmin Dist., 80708, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan;Department of Oral Hygiene, Tzu Hui Institute of Technology, No.367 Sanmin Rd., 92641, Nanzhou, Pingtung, Taiwan;Department of Public Health, Fu Jen Catholic University, No. 510, Zhongzheng Rd., Xinzhuang Dist., 242062, New Taipei City, Taiwan;School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Sanmin Dist., 80708, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan;School of Public Health, Health Sciences Center, Louisiana State University, 2020 Gravier Street, 70112, New Orleans, LA, USA;

关键词: Dental health;    Health-promoting school;    Preventive behavior;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12903-021-01927-z

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundWe evaluated the effects of health-promoting school (HPS) strategy on plaque control and behavior change in high-caries schoolchildren in Taitung, Taiwan.MethodsA quasi-experimental design was adopted; six intervention schools (intervention group [IG]) and six comparison schools (comparison group [CG]) were selected from elementary schools with higher-than-average caries rates (> 68%). The IG was selected using cluster sampling, and the CG was selected to match the IG. In total, the IG and CG groups included 166 and 174 children each. The selected schools implemented the HPS framework for 3 months in the 2019 academic year. An oral examination of dental plaque was administered, and a self-administered questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and behaviors was distributed at baseline and at 2-week follow-up. A linear and logistic regression model using generalized estimating equations (GEEs) was used to analyze the differences between baseline and the follow-up data.ResultsCompared with the CG, the IG had a greater reduction in plaque index among second graders (β =  − 0.36) and plaque control record scores among second, fourth, and sixth graders (β =  − 27.48, − 26.04, and − 18.38, respectively). The IG also exhibited a greater increase at follow-up with respect to oral health–related knowledge among second graders and fourth graders (β = 1.46 and β = 0.92, respectively), attitude toward oral hygiene behaviors among sixth graders (β = 1.78), and self-efficacy regarding flossing for sixth graders (β = 1.43). Sixth graders in the IG were significantly more likely to brush before sleeping (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.99) and use fluoride toothpaste (aOR = 5.88) than those in the CG.ConclusionsThe HPS strategy was effective in reducing dental plaque and promoting preventing behaviors in rural high-caries schoolchildren.

【 授权许可】

CC BY