The Development and Effectiveness of a Dental Health Education Program Including Self-Evaluation for Junior High School Students

The purpose of the this study was to assess the importance of self-care and combined the skills for oral health with information on dental diseases.<BR>Experimental dental health education with and without instruction on oral health, oral health observation and dental plaque control training was given to classes of 13-14 year-old junior high school students. A control class received no instruction. The dental health knowledge, attitude, and behavior were assessed before, one week and one month after the education by the use of questionnaire. Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) was assessed before and one month after the education.<BR>Correct response of a knowledge item of dental plaque which denotes for bakteria on teeth in the experimental groups were 47-69% and higher than that in the control group. Dental health behavior for less sugar intake was most effective in the group that accepted all intervention. Dental health attitude and OHI were not significant differences between experimental and control groups.<BR>This study showed that dental health knowledge for junior high school students who improved in experimental groups, but the aspect of attitude was less influential. These results indicated that the dental health education program with the concept of self-care was relevant to develop oral health for schoolchildren and also suggested that the instruction method with self-evaluation for oral hygiene was prerequisite for health promotion. [J.J.H.E.P.1993; 1: 9-15]